Volunteers and medical staff celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with child COVID patients treated at Thới Hòa treatment area at field hospital No. 1 in Bình Dương Province. Photo tuoitre.vn

HCM CITY — More than 1,200 COVID child patients on September 19 joined lantern processions and songs at a Mid-Autumn Festival event at field hospital No. 1 in Bình Dương Province.

The annual festival, beautifully decorated with lights, flowers and lanterns, was organised by leaders of the provincial People’s Committee and doctors and volunteers.

Each child was given a box of mooncakes sponsored by Becamex IDC Corporation, which financially supports facilities for field treatment areas.

Nguyễn Lộc Hà, vice chairman of Bình Dương provincial People’s Committee, conveyed his wish that the children will feel love and care and recover soon, and have great memories of the festival.

The traditional event has been a major festival of the country since the Lý Dynasty (1009–1225). In traditional custom, the festival is not only dedicated to children but also an occasion for family reunions.

On the festival night, families gather around a tray. While the children join lantern processions and contests, observe kylin dances and play folk games, the adults contemplate the full moon, eat mooncakes and drink tea.

Bình Dương has recorded more than 178,295 cases as of September 19, of which more than 139,000 have recovered.

A number of field treatment areas have been set up in the province since the fourth wave of the outbreak. The Thới Hòa treatment area with a capacity of 27,000 beds is the largest in the province. — VNS