In Ho Chi Minh City, ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a large star-shaped lantern has been installed on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street. According to the local newspaper Thanh Niên, it has appeared in front of the main pavilion of Tre Publishing House and will stand until the end of October. During the day the street is bathed in sunlight, while at night the lantern is illuminated, drawing crowds to the street.
According to visitors, the atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival appeals to adults as well. Many come to the book street specifically to have their photo taken with the large lantern.
One of the visitors, eighteen-year-old Nguyen Thi Minh Thu, told reporters that she had come from Vung Tau district. In her view, despite the abundance of modern lanterns, including electric ones, the traditional star-shaped lantern retains its significance and remains a symbol of the holiday.
When I look at the star lantern, I feel the tradition, and it reminds me of the Mid-Autumn Festivals of past years. Modern lanterns are beautiful and come in all kinds of styles and designs, but I still prefer and use the traditional star lantern.
— Nguyen Thi Minh Thu
Another young woman, nineteen-year-old Van Thi Dieu Anh, said that she saw a video of the lantern on social media and immediately invited her friends to come and take photos. For her, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only about fun but also a time for reuniting with family.
Dieu Thi Phuoc, a student at a local university, noted that the book street is popular with young people even on ordinary days, but with the arrival of the festive lanterns it has become even busier. She added that as a child she loved carrying lanterns, and now she enjoys watching children do the same.
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