HÀ NỘI If you are looking to be entertained over the weekend, then downtown Hà Nội is the place to be.

A series of activities will take place at the Thăng Long Royal Citadel Complex to mark the traditional Mid-Autumn Fesitval.

Lion dancing will lure children in downtown Hà Nội during the festival. VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

Hundreds of valuable photos and various installations will be on display and the sounds of drums of various sizes will be heard throughout the capital.

There will also be traditional toys and food featured.

Children can watch lion dancing and enjoy folk singing. And there'll be plenty of tasty cakes available.

And that's not all, kids can make carton masks and join various folk games like tug of war and sack racing.

Artisan Vũ Thị Thoản from Hảo Village, Liêu Xá Commune, Yên Mỹ District, northern province of Hưng Yên, will be among making star lanterns for the audience.

Children can enjoy playing with traditional toys at Thăng Long Royal Citadel Complex. VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

“Traditional toys are irreplaceable in each Mid-Autumn Festival night,” she said. “Children will take the toys to play while watching the full moon.

“I’m happy and proud  to bring family products here to introduce visitors."

Artisans will make toys for children to see and play with at Thăng Long Royal Citadel Complex. VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng

The three-day event lasted till yesterday at the site, 19C Hoàng Diệu Street.

In other news, the traditional old quarter mid-autumn festival has started at the main gate of Đồng Xuân market and the walking street area of Hàng Đào to Hàng Giấy streets.

The festival is being organised by Hoàn Kiếm District People's Committee.

Events are also happening in surrounding areas like the pedestrian zone in the Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm Lake pedestrian streets, the fresco art space of Phùng Hưng Street, Kim Ngân Communal House, the old quarter information and cultural exchange centre and the House of Legacy at 87 Mã Mây Street.

Traditional mid-autumn activities including kylin or lion dancing with competitors from 18 different wards, a night banquet, lantern parade, folk games and children's martial arts competition will take place.

At the opening event, folk artisans will instruct visitors on how to make traditional folk toys such as paper lanterns, paper kites and ships. A puppet performance and the traditional mid-autumn organisation of a Hanoian family were also introduced.

“During the festival, children, citizens and tourists will be able to participate in cultural activities and folk games,” said deputy chairman of Hoàn Kiếm District People's Committee Đinh Hồng Phong.

 “The organising board hopes to maintain traditional values, encourage people to protect their cultural legacy and honour the artisans," he said. 

"We also hope to bring an exciting playground for the children to help them enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional festival."

Vehicles will be prohibited on some streets of the old quarter like Hàng Mã, Hàng Lược, Hàng Rươi, Hàng Chai, Hàng Khoai and Phùng Hưng streets from 7am to 10pm.

The festival lasts until September 13, or the full-moon day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar.VNS