Joys and sorrows of the Mid-Autumn Festival

During the Mid-Autumn Festivals of our childhood, we children would excitedly gather together, preparing our toys.

These included colorful lanterns, star-shaped lanterns; elaborate revolving lanterns modeled after ancient tales; funny and whimsical masks; and candles strung with dried pomelo seeds that burned brightly and intensely...

Long before the full moon night, we children would gather in groups to perform lion and dragon dances all around the neighborhood and village. Wherever we went, the loud sounds of gongs and drums, the boisterous laughter and cheerful chatter, created a lively atmosphere throughout the area.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, every family's altar is adorned with plates of fruit, and most importantly, moon-shaped mooncakes, also known as "reunion cakes." They are called "reunion cakes" because on this day, the whole family reunites to enjoy the sweet, fragrant taste of the cakes and gaze at the full moon, its clear, gentle light seemingly enveloping all living things.

My hometown has changed a lot now. Many shops and stalls have sprung up along both sides of the road, selling a wide variety of sweets and snacks for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Every stall displays attractive and eye-catching advertising signs; including those of famous brands like Kinh Do, Dong Khanh, Vinabico, and others.

Alongside the stalls selling cakes are many shops selling toys such as star-shaped lanterns, revolving lanterns, paper lanterns, drum-shaped lanterns, military drum lanterns, masks, etc., in many lively and unusual designs. Many of these products are made of plastic or cellophane and originate from China.

While I'm happy for my hometown's modernization, I can't help but feel a pang of sadness at the absence of something. Where are those small, innocent, and carefree joys of childhood, when we gathered together to prepare for Tet (Lunar New Year)? The market economy has brought people a more prosperous life, but it has also brought "instant" toys, lacking in folk and traditional elements.

Peace