HÀ NỘI — Celebrations all over Việt Nam in recent days have aimed to bring a joyful Mid-Autumn Festival to all children, particular those who are disadvantaged or live in the remote mountainous areas.

The biggest lantern parading festival in Việt Nam was held in Phan Thiết City in the central province of Bình Thuận, attracting huge participation of locals and visitors. The parade showcased hundreds of lanterns of all shapes and sizes, made by about 3,000 students from local secondary and primary schools.

According to the organisation board, the lantern parade created opportunities for children in the city to learn about traditional crafts and stories, in addition to promoting tourism in Bình Thuận Province. The festival has also been recognised as the biggest lantern parading festival in Việt Nam by Vietbooks magazine. The lanterns will be displayed on Nguyễn Tất Thành Square in Phan Thiết City from October 22-24, coinciding with Bình Thuận Tourism Day.

On October 2, many gifts were presented to disadvantaged children in the northern province of Ninh Bình and the southern province of Vĩnh Long as part of programmes to celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival. The children who attended the events in the two provinces experienced traditional activities like lion and dragon dancing, lantern parade and traditional games.

Holiday giving: Children from Tân Thanh Nursery School in the southern province of Bến Tre received gifts sponsored by local organisations. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vũ

On the three nights of September 29, 30 and October 1, a programme entitled Đêm Hội Trăng Rằm (Full-Moon Festive Night) was held for children in remote and mountainous areas in the central province of Bình Thuận. Over 3,000 sets of gifts were given away.

Eighty sets of gifts were also awarded to disadvantaged children who have performed exceptionally well at school, as part of the full-moon festival held in the northern province of Bắc Ninh. In addition, the organization board honoured 72 individuals and groups for outstanding achievements in study, sports, arts and culture in both national and international contests this year.

SOS Children’s Village in the southern province of Bến Tre coordinated with Viet Nam’s Children Fund and the local Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to celebrate the festival on October 1. Attending the occasion, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tòng Thị Phóng and other representatives awarded 300 scholarships and gifts to local disadvantaged children.

On the same day, Phóng attended the programme Thắp Sáng Những Ước Mơ (Lighten up Dreams) jointly held by the Viet Nam Association for Protection of Children’s Rights, the Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin and Bến Tre Province’s Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights. She expressed the affection of state leaders for the 367 outstanding children from Bến Tre, Trà Vinh, Hậu Giang and Tiền Giang provinces. She also called for relevant organisations to work together in ensuring the rights and security of every child, particularly disadvantaged children.

Nationally known: Children in Phan Thiết City in Bình Thuận Province participated in the biggest lantern parading festival in Việt Nam that was held on October 2. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Thanh

President’s letter

President Trần Đại Quang has sent his warmest wishes to all Vietnamese children at home and abroad, as well as foreign children who are living in Việt Nam, on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In his letter sent to the children, the state leader applauded the children’s academic performance at school, particularly those living in flood-hit areas.

"I praise you for your great efforts to become good students. I hope that you will continue to follow President Hồ Chi Minh’s teachings to become good citizens and contribute to the building of a beautiful, strong and prosperous Việt Nam," President Quang wrote in his letter. "I wish that you will enter a new academic year with great achievements and celebrate a joyful Mid-Autumn Festival." — VNS