Hang Ma street bustling as Mid-Autumn festival nears

These days Hang Ma Street has been busy with most houses and sidewalks turning into makeshift shops selling star-shaped lanterns and paper masks of animals and fairy-tale characters amid Covid-19 pandemic. For many Vietnamese, the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on October 1 this year, is the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year. The Mid-Autumn Festival seems different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The atmosphere is less boisterous and fewer events are being held, but people can still enjoy various festive activities at major locations in Hanoi. Colourful paper lanterns are among much sought after toys during the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

For many Vietnamese, the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on October 1 this year, is the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year. In photo: Young girls pose for photos to keep memorable moments. Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the children's festival in Việt Nam, takes place on the the 15th day of the 8th month on lunar calendar, which is also the brightest and full moon day of the year. This year the festival falls on October 1. It has been considered the second most important festival of the year after the Lunar New Year since the Ly dynasty (1009–1225). (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Colourful paper lanterns are among much sought after toys during the Mid-Autumn Festival. For children of those times, the simple toy was enough to make their Mid-Autumn Festival special and the happiness of holding a bright lantern, showing off to others, stayed with them long into later life. Amid the abundance of colourful modern toys during the Mid-Autumn Festival, traditional offerings till have their place in the hearts of Vietnamese children. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, kids have been thrilled to receive colourful toys such as lanterns and masks and so many others. Made-in-Vietnam toys seem to have prevailed in the market this year. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

The Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most traditional and popular family holidays in Vietnam, is enjoyed by people throughout the country, regardless of their background or economic status. Many people visit Hang Ma street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi 7-10 days prior to the festival to have time to enjoy the colourful street and select suitable toys. The street attracts a lot of young people, especially those who love posing for photos. The most check-in areas are shops selling traditional Mid-Autumn festival toys, such as paper lanterns, paper masks, small drums, etc. Man youngsters flock to Hang Ma street despite the pandemic. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Hang Ma street attracts a lot of young people, especially those who love posing for photos. The colourful street makes the photos more lively. Mid-autumn festival is especially for children as they are often presented gifts, toys on this occasion. For many Vietnamese, the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on October 1 this year, is the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year. During the festival, the weather is usually cool, crops are waiting to be harvested and people gather to pay tribute to the deities, sing and play. Due to Covid-19, the prices of toys for kids are nearly the same as those of last year. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Mid-autumn festival is especially for children as they are often presented gifts, toys on this occasion. For many Vietnamese, the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on October 1 this year, is the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year. During the festival, the weather is usually cool, crops are waiting to be harvested and people gather to pay tribute to the deities, sing and play. Amid the abundance of colourful modern toys during the Mid-Autumn Festival, traditional offerings till have their place in the hearts of Vietnamese children. With Vietnamese toys, parents can be sure their kids are playing with things that are safe and that uphold traditional values. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Mid-autumn festival is especially for children as they are often presented gifts, toys on this occasion. For many Vietnamese, the Mid-Autumn Festival, is the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year. Due to Covid-19, the prices of toys for kids are nearly the same as those of last year. With Vietnamese toys, parents can be sure their kids are playing with things that are safe and that uphold traditional values. Other indispensable activities during the festival include making 'Full Moon' cakes and traditional toys with senior artisans, and taking part in traditional games that will help educate the younger generations about their national culture. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Hang Ma street is one of the most colourful streets in Hanoi especially during the Mid-Autumn festival. Many people visit Hang Ma street 7-10 days prior to the festival to have time to enjoy the colourful street and select suitable toys. A shop owner on Hang Ma street said due to the impacts of Covid-19, the street is not as busy as it was last year. Apart from traditional toys, plastic toys such as dolls, cars, among others, are bought by parents as presents to their children. With Vietnamese toys, parents can be sure their kids are playing with things that are safe and that uphold traditional values. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the children's festival in Vietnam, takes place on the the 15th day of the 8th month on lunar calendar, which is also the brightest and full moon day of the year. This year the festival falls on October 1. During the festival, the weather is usually cool, crops are waiting to be harvested and people gather to pay tribute to the deities, sing and play. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, kids have been thrilled to receive colourful toys such as lanterns and masks and so many others. Made-in-Vietnam toys seem to have prevailed in the market this year. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

With the mid-Autumn festival just around the corner, Hang Ma street in Hanoi has been lit-up by colourful ornaments, allowing visitors to enjoy the festive atmosphere when wandering around the area. Many people visit Hang Ma street 7-10 days prior to the festival to have time to enjoy the colourful street and select suitable toys. The Mid-Autumn festival, known in Vietnamese as Tet Trung Thu, is one of the nation’s largest celebrations. Although the festival started for children, it has now become an occasion for everyone. The Mid-Autumn Festival seems different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The atmosphere is less boisterous and fewer events are being held, but people can still enjoy various festive activities. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

As mid-Autumn festival draws near the street livens up. Hang Ma street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi is one of the most colourful streets in Hanoi especially during the Mid-Autumn festival. Traditional toys such as star-shaped lanterns, paper masks, small drums, and lion heads are being sold on Hang Ma street one month before the start of the mid-Autumn festival. Made-in-Vietnam toys dominate the market this year, a trend that has overtaken the sale of imported Chinese products which could be seen in previous years. Amid a hectic period, Hang Ma is considered a magical place by several generations of children. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

With more than a week to go shops located on Hang Ma Street in Hanoi have been making preparations for the upcoming Mid-Autumn festival by displaying a range of colourful ornaments, allowing visitors to soak up the festive atmosphere. The Mid-Autumn festival, known as Tet Trung Thu in Vietnamese, is one of the nation’s largest celebrations. Although the festival is largely aimed at children, recent years have seen the event enjoyed by everyone. There is plenty of variety for buyers of Vietnamese masks to enjoy, with a wide selection available this year. The Mid-Autumn festival usually sees children given special gifts to enjoy. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

There is a wide variety of Vietnamese masks available for buyers this year. Star-shaped lanterns are a popular product for consumers. Traditional toys such as star-shaped lanterns, paper masks, small drums, and lion heads are being sold on Hang Ma street in Hanoi one month before the start of the mid-Autumn festival. Made-in-Vietnam toys dominate the market this year, a trend that has overtaken the sale of imported Chinese products which could be seen in previous years. With Vietnamese toys, parents can be sure their kids are playing with things that are safe and that uphold traditional values of the mid-Autumn festival. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

Mid-Autumn festival is a special occasion helps to remind young people of their childhood. The Festival is enjoyed by people throughout the country, regardless of their background or economic status. Many people visit Hang Ma street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi 7-10 days prior to the festival to have time to enjoy the colourful street and select suitable toys. The street attracts a lot of young people, especially those who love posing for photos. The most check-in areas are shops selling traditional Mid-Autumn festival toys, such as paper lanterns, paper masks, small drums, etc. Man youngsters flock to Hang Ma street despite the pandemic. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

With the mid-Autumn festival just around the corner, Hang Ma street in Hanoi has been lit-up by colourful ornaments, allowing visitors to enjoy the festive atmosphere when wandering around the area. Many people visit Hang Ma street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi 7-10 days prior to the festival to have time to enjoy the colourful street and select suitable toys. Traditional toys such as star-shaped lanterns, paper masks, small drums, and lion heads are being sold on Hang Ma street one month before the start of the mid-Autumn festival. Made-in-Vietnam toys dominate the market this year, a trend that has overtaken the sale of imported Chinese products. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)

With the Mid-Autumn Festival peaking, people have been flooding into Hanoi’s Old Quarter, especially Hang Ma street, to shop, take photos and enjoy the festive ambience. For many Vietnamese, the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on October 1 this year, is the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year since the Ly dynasty. The Mid-Autumn Festival seems different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The atmosphere is less boisterous and fewer events are being held, but people can still enjoy various festive activities at major locations in Hanoi. Colourful paper lanterns are among much sought after toys during the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo: Minh Hieu/Vietnam+)