Jul 9th 2020

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival celebrated widely in Vietnam and China. Also known as the Water Lantern Festival or Hoi An Festival in Vietnam, this is the time of the year when the moon is at its roundest and brightest. This season is the perfect time to give thanks and appreciate the bounty of nature, and the best time to celebrate with reunions and gatherings for quality time with loved ones. The celebrations typically start with a delicious shared meal, then afterwards it’s time to admire the bright moon and eat moon cakes. While the customs of the Hoi An Festival have been constantly evolving from ancient times, here are some ways on how people celebrate it.

Appreciate the Full Moon

The full moon is a symbol for a family reunion in several beliefs. When people look at the moon, it reminds them of their families and homeland. That's why many famous ancient poets wrote poems about the moon and expressed their homesickness.
Nowadays, people still appreciate the moon during the Water Lantern Festival through dinner in the evening. After dinner, they may talk about the children, their work, and their future plans.

Eating Mooncakes with Family

Mooncakes are the traditional snacks/desserts of the Water Lantern Festival or Hoi An. Legend says that a moon goddess makes these cakes, so people called them mooncakes. The original recipe uses wheat flour with a sweet filling, such as sugar and lotus seed powder.
But, for those who want to celebrate the season with something new, there are several mooncake flavors with a modern twist. Some fun modern versions include Cheesecake Mooncake (instead of lotus paste, this mooncake is filled with cream cheese, and often contains a center of fruity jam or preserves for a punch of flavor), Crystal Jelly Mooncake (has a delicious and refreshing flavor, no wonder that jelly has made its way into the mooncake world), or Flaky Pandan Mooncake (great choice for pandan lovers, it makes a delicious addition to mooncakes).

Gift-giving with Loved Ones

Gift-giving is an expression of love and gratitude. Trying to find that perfect present for family or friends to celebrate the Water Lantern festival can be difficult, but understanding the traditions and gift-giving norms of the festival will help in picking out the right gift for them. Although mooncakes are always highly appreciated as Hoi An or Mid-Autumn gifts, a little twist won't hurt.
One of the best Water Lantern Festival gifts are Danisa Butter Cookies! It is a perfect gift for any occasion and great to enjoy with loved ones on this delightful holiday. Made using the finest quality ingredients for excellent flavours, Danisa Butter Cookies offers luxurious variants of traditional butter cookies; choco cashew butter cookies, and currant butter cookies. You will always find the perfect gift for your loved ones with the premium flavours of Danisa!
Though different places have different customs and celebrations for the Water Lantern Festival, most people that observe the festival share the common desire for a reunion, happiness, safety, health and good harvest on this special day.
[:en]The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival celebrated widely in Vietnam and China. Also known as the Water Lantern Festival or Hoi An Festival in Vietnam, this is the time of the year when the moon is at its roundest and brightest. This season is the perfect time to give thanks and appreciate the bounty of nature, and the best time to celebrate with reunions and gatherings for quality time with loved ones. The celebrations typically start with a delicious shared meal, then afterwards it’s time to admire the bright moon and eat moon cakes. While the customs of the Hoi An Festival have been constantly evolving from ancient times, here are some ways on how people celebrate it.

Appreciate the Full Moon

The full moon is a symbol for a family reunion in several beliefs. When people look at the moon, it reminds them of their families and homeland. That's why many famous ancient poets wrote poems about the moon and expressed their homesickness.

Nowadays, people still appreciate the moon during the Water Lantern Festival through dinner in the evening. After dinner, they may talk about the children, their work, and their future plans.

Eating Mooncakes with Family

Mooncakes are the traditional snacks/desserts of the Water Lantern Festival or Hoi An. Legend says that a moon goddess makes these cakes, so people called them mooncakes. The original recipe uses wheat flour with a sweet filling, such as sugar and lotus seed powder.

But, for those who want to celebrate the season with something new, there are several mooncake flavors with a modern twist. Some fun modern versions include Cheesecake Mooncake (instead of lotus paste, this mooncake is filled with cream cheese, and often contains a center of fruity jam or preserves for a punch of flavor), Crystal Jelly Mooncake (has a delicious and refreshing flavor, no wonder that jelly has made its way into the mooncake world), or Flaky Pandan Mooncake (great choice for pandan lovers, it makes a delicious addition to mooncakes).

Gift-giving with Loved Ones

Gift-giving is an expression of love and gratitude. Trying to find that perfect present for family or friends to celebrate the Water Lantern festival can be difficult, but understanding the traditions and gift-giving norms of the festival will help in picking out the right gift for them. Although mooncakes are always highly appreciated as Hoi An or Mid-Autumn gifts, a little twist won't hurt.

One of the best Water Lantern Festival gifts are Danisa Butter Cookies! It is a perfect gift for any occasion and great to enjoy with loved ones on this delightful holiday. Made using the finest quality ingredients for excellent flavours, Danisa Butter Cookies offers luxurious variants of traditional butter cookies; choco cashew butter cookies, and currant butter cookies. You will always find the perfect gift for your loved ones with the premium flavours of Danisa!

Though different places have different customs and celebrations for the Water Lantern Festival, most people that observe the festival share the common desire for a reunion, happiness, safety, health and good harvest on this special day.