Love and sharing during the Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival has long been a special holiday for children, a beautiful traditional cultural feature of the nation. It's also an occasion for society as a whole to express love and share with the younger generation. However, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival in Nghe An, which has been severely affected by storms and floods, has become a major concern for many, as it aims to organize the festival in a way that is both appropriate to the current situation and brings complete joy to the children.
Thanh Quynh(Execution) - Technique:Hong Toai• October 5, 2025
To find suitable solutions, Nghe An Newspaper and Radio and Television had a conversation with Mr. Phan Sy Hien - Deputy Director of the Provincial Children's Protection Fund.
PV:It is known that he has been involved in children's work for over 20 years. So, over more than 20 Mid-Autumn Festivals, what changes have he observed in the needs and desires of children? And to adapt to these changes, what changes has the Foundation made in its approach and organization of Mid-Autumn Festivals for children?
Mr. Phan Sy Hien:Having worked with children for over 20 years, I've noticed that their needs have changed significantly, closely linked to the transformation of social life. Previously, in many mountainous areas where the percentage of poor and near-poor households exceeded 30%, a simple Mid-Autumn Festival gift like a cake, candy, or a lantern was enough to make the children happy. These seemingly simple things became special memories in their childhood.
Furthermore, in those Mid-Autumn Festival programs, children were mostly in the position of "recipients," sitting attentively watching the older children perform, listening to adults speak, share, and give advice…
But now, with improved socio-economic conditions and many areas escaping poverty, people's spiritual needs are becoming increasingly diverse. Children not only have access to digital technology but also develop personalities and interests that change with the trends of the times. This has led to a noticeable shift in their needs during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Children no longer want to passively watch, but want to participate directly and express themselves. Some want to stand on stage to perform, while others prefer to participate in games and quizzes, creating fun for themselves and their friends. From a passive position, children today have become the true "subjects" of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is a very noteworthy change, as it reflects the maturation process, self-confidence, and need for self-affirmation of today's children.
These days, Mid-Autumn Festival gifts are no longer as simple as they used to be. Gifts aren't just about what you have and want to give, but more importantly, they must be what the children truly need and want to receive.
Therefore, the Foundation had to adapt. Organizing the Mid-Autumn Festival not only brings material joy, but more importantly, creates a space for children to participate, be creative, and connect. That's also why, in recent years, besides giving gifts, the Foundation has coordinated the organization of many Mid-Autumn Festival nights, children's forums, cultural programs, lion dances, lantern processions, etc. All aim at one common goal: for children to be both participants and "main actors" in the festival.
In particular, for disadvantaged children and children in remote areas, in addition to the Fund's resources, we always seek to connect with businesses and philanthropists to ensure that these children also enjoy a fulfilling life.
PV:This year, as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Nghe An province is grappling with numerous storms and floods. Given this situation, how has the Children's Protection Fund planned to organize the Mid-Autumn Festival in a way that is both appropriate to the reality and brings complete joy to the children, especially those in remote areas and those with particularly difficult circumstances?
Mr. Phan Sy Hien:This year, stemming from the fact that Nghe An province has just experienced severe damage from storms and floods, we have conducted surveys in many affected areas. Areas that suffered heavy damage will be prioritized for support. As I discussed earlier, gifts are not just about what we have and want to give, but more importantly, they must be what the children truly need and want to receive, so we are assessing the actual situation. Many children lack school supplies, many have had their means of transportation to school swept away by the floods, and many need scholarships.
Therefore, in addition to traditional gifts, the Fund has strengthened its resource connections to diversify Mid-Autumn Festival gifts such as cash, school supplies, bicycles, etc. Importantly, this activity is implemented throughout the weeks leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, to ensure that the children have the opportunity to fully enjoy the festival.
To be more specific, regarding the flood-affected areas in western Nghe An province, in September alone, the Foundation collaborated with the Blue Dragon organization and the Canadian Embassy to provide 1,660 gift packages including essential goods, school supplies, and cash in 7 communes: Huu Kiem, Chieu Luu, Muong Xen, Tuong Duong, Yen Na, Nga My, and Luong Minh, with a total value of 974 million VND. In addition, through several businesses, the Foundation also provided medicine, backpacks, and other gifts to 1,280 families in 8 communes: My Ly, Muong Tip, Na Loi, Muong Xen, Luong Minh, Nhon Mai, Tam Quang, and Huu Khuong, with a total value of 1.47 billion VND.
A few days ago, as the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, joy came to many children in Muong Xen commune when the Vietnam Children's Protection Fund presented gifts to 50 children and a water filtration system to Ta Ca Kindergarten, with a total value of nearly 100 million VND.
For the key activities on Mid-Autumn Festival, based on the direction of the Provincial Children's Affairs Steering Committee, the Fund has developed a plan to visit, give gifts, and organize programs from September 26th to October 6th, with a total budget of nearly 300 million VND. Specifically, at the provincial-level Mid-Autumn Festival event, we will distribute nearly 250 gifts and organize Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations for children at the Provincial Social Work Center, SOS Children's Village Vinh, and the Provincial Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center.
In mountainous areas, such as the communes of Quy Chau, My Ly, and Luong Minh, hundreds of gifts will be delivered directly to the children. In particular, in Nhon Mai commune – one of the areas most severely affected by typhoon No. 5 – the Fund has partnered with AC Vietnam Co., Ltd. to sponsor 200 gifts worth a total of 100 million VND for the children.
Each gift contains the affection and sharing of the community. However, I believe that the most important thing is not just the material gift, but the joy, warmth, and the feeling of being cared for and respected that the children receive. For the Mid-Autumn Festival programs, even though this year's event is planned to be simple and economical, it will not lose its warmth and meaning, with the children as the main focus.
PV:Sir, besides the "short-term" gifts that the children receive during the Mid-Autumn Festival, has the Fund and benefactors prepared any more "long-term" gifts this year that are of lasting value and practicality, so that the children can benefit in the future?
Mr. Phan Sy Hien:Ahead of this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the Foundation coordinated free heart surgeries for 11 children with congenital heart disease, with a total cost of nearly 700 million VND. Among them were children from very difficult circumstances such as Pham Tu Linh (Dien Chau commune, born in 2021), Nguyen Thi An Duyen (Van Tu commune, born in 2024), Nguyen Thi Chat (Quynh Anh commune, born in 2010)... These surgeries were facilitated by the Foundation in collaboration with sponsors, giving these children the opportunity to live, play, study, and integrate normally with their peers.
In addition, the Foundation maintains long-term scholarship programs. For example, before this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the Foundation connected benefactors to provide a scholarship worth 6 million VND to Hoang Thien Tra, born in 2016, in Hai Loc commune. Tra has poor health and uses a wheelchair, but she always strives to study and achieves excellent results at Nghi Yen Primary School. The scholarship will be maintained long-term, helping her continue her education and develop her abilities. Furthermore, the Foundation is continuing to connect with and support scholarships for more than 20 other students after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
PV:To ensure that these positive values continue to be maintained and spread in future Mid-Autumn Festivals, what message would you like to convey?
Mr. Phan Sy Hien:For me, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not just a holiday for children, but also a measure of the community's care and sharing towards the younger generation. The festive nights, the gifts, the laughter, and the happy eyes of the children... are vivid proof of the spread of love.
To make the Mid-Autumn Festival even more meaningful, always listen to the needs, preferences, and individual personalities of the children. From there, design programs that are suitable not only for immediate enjoyment but also contribute to long-term support for their health, learning, and ability development, helping them confidently thrive in life!
PV: Thank you for the conversation!
