A Mid-Autumn Festival exhibition opened to the public on the evening of September 10 at the Old Quarter Cultural and Arts Centre, located at 22 Hang Buom Street in Hanoi.
The exhibition quickly drew the attention of visitors with its colourful lanterns, paper masks and intricately crafted toy models associated with one of Vietnam's most cherished traditional festivals.
Many of the items on display, while often regarded as children's toys, reflect a deeper cultural heritage rooted in traditional craftsmanship, aesthetic values and the aspirations conveyed through Vietnamese folk art.
The exhibition highlights a range of handmade creations inspired by the Mid-Autumn Festival, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the stories behind the country's long-standing toy-making traditions.
The creative group CUA NA studied a traditional method of soaking bamboo in mud to protect it from termites, combining it with durable do paper to create lanterns symbolising good fortune and academic success.
Meanwhile, the brand Thong Dong drew on the iron horse from the Giong festival legend to create the Thiet Ma collection, featuring a lion head and small bells. When set in motion, the bells' chime added to the liveliness of the exhibition space.
Some collections drew on courtly imagery, creating a solemn display corner that stood apart from the colourful world of folk toys.
Organisers said the works featured are not simply reproductions of historical designs. Instead, many creative groups have sought to incorporate traditional techniques and materials into contemporary designs, creating a dialogue between the memories of past Mid-Autumn celebrations and the perspectives of younger generations.
The exhibition is not only for viewing. Visitors can learn how the toys are made, speak with artisans and artists, and directly experience some traditional products.
Many young visitors lingered in front of a giant paper mandarin figure, an image once commonly seen on Mid-Autumn offering trays in many Vietnamese families.
By blending heritage craftsmanship with modern artistic expression, the exhibition aims to preserve traditional cultural values while making them more accessible and relevant to today's audiences.
The event forms part of broader efforts in Hanoi to promote cultural heritage and traditional festivals as attractions for both domestic and international visitors during the Mid-Autumn season. The series runs until September 30, featuring experiential activities, performances and lantern processions aimed at bringing traditional Mid-Autumn values closer to the community, particularly younger generations.
