Hanoi's Old Quarter filled with revelers celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, creating a bustling scene with lanterns, toys, and festive joy.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter was packed with revelers Tuesday night as thousands gathered to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, a much-loved event across Asia. The streets in downtown Hanoi, especially those surrounding the Old Quarter, were alive with activity, with Hang Luoc and Hang Ma streets in Hoan Kiem District serving as the heart of the celebrations.

This festival, which peaks on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, drew large crowds to traditional markets where locals and tourists alike shopped for lanterns, toys, and other festive decorations. The narrow streets of the Old Quarter—Luong Van Can, Hang Can, Hang Ma, Hang Luoc, Hang Dao, and Hang Chieu—were bustling with families, many of whom lifted their children onto their shoulders to keep them safe amidst the crush of people.

Hang Ma Street, in particular, was a hub of excitement with shop staff shooting bubbles into the air, delighting children who eagerly popped them. By 9 p.m., Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square was a sea of people, its vibrancy amplified by the joyous celebration.

This year’s Mid-Autumn festivities came just weeks after Hanoi endured severe damage from Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Asia in 2024. The typhoon brought downpours and strong winds on the night of September 7, leading to the city’s worst flooding in two decades. Despite this, the spirit of Hanoi’s Mid-Autumn Festival remains unbroken, with crowds gathering in full force to enjoy the city’s most vibrant celebration of the year.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is celebrated across Vietnam with lanterns, mooncakes, and family gatherings. In Hanoi, the Old Quarter’s historic streets transform into the focal point of the festivities, creating an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and electric with modern energy.