Mid-autumn festival opens in Hanoi’s ancient quarter

 The 2009 Hanoi Ancient Town Mid-Autumn Festival and the Mid-Autumn Fair opened on September 19 (the first day of the 8th lunar month).
The festival, hosted by the Hoan Kiem district People’s Committee, is the first of a series of activities to mark the 999th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and 55 years of the capital’s liberation.
The festival will last until October 3 (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month) with a wide range of activities taking place on an outdoor stage in front of Dong Xuan Market, including folk game nights, a festival of lion dances and traditional art performances such as hat xam (song of a strolling blind musician), ca tru (ceremonial song) and cheo (traditional opera).
The full-moon night, which falls on October 3, will be celebrated with a lantern parade, lion dances and a children’s party to serve out festival cakes and fruits.
Documentary images of traditional mid-autumn festivals will be displayed at a preserved ancient house at 87 Ma May street.
On the occasion, the Hoan Kiem district will present gifts to disadvantaged students with an outstanding education record.