“The star-shaped lantern shines so bright,
Its bamboo handle long, held high above my head.
I carry the lantern and sing out loud,
Its vibrant colors lighting up the festive night.”
“Tung rinh rinh, tung tung tung rinh rinh,
The joyful star shines far through the mountains.
Tung rinh rinh, rinh rinh, tung rinh rinh,
The star of Uncle Ho glows bright everywhere.”
The melody of the song still echoes in my mind, along with the images of children beaming with joy, holding tightly onto their star lanterns, eagerly watching the lion dance and the festive feast. The “Mid-Autumn Festival for Children” journey will surely be an unforgettable memory for me and my colleagues at the company.
As an annual charitable initiative by our company, this year, the ITC family returned to Khe Rịa Hamlet, Vũ Chấn Commune, Võ Nhai District, Thái Nguyên Province. This continued our program “Sharing is Happiness,” which was successfully organized in October 2016, to once again bring a warm and joyful Mid-Autumn celebration to preschool and elementary students in the hamlet.
After a 140-kilometer drive along paved roads and an additional 2 kilometers of mountainous paths, we were filled with joy and excitement upon being warmly welcomed by everyone. The children cheered in excitement. Returning to Khe Rịa after a year, we noticed that the school was now more spacious and improved, yet the warmth and friendliness of the people and the children remained unchanged.
We quickly hung banners, set up tables and chairs, and arranged the five-fruit offering to begin the “Mid-Autumn Festival for Children” program.
The company’s leadership and staff personally handed out gifts to each student – practical items such as schoolbags, pens, notebooks, school supplies, and toys. We hope these gifts will ease their difficulties and plant the seeds of motivation, helping them grow into good, diligent students who will contribute to the development of Vũ Chấn.
Sister “Hằng”, played by Mai Hương, and Uncle “Cuội”, played by Hoàng Duy, with their witty exchanges, led the mountain children into a truly magical Mid-Autumn celebration. Laughter and applause filled the air, reflected in everyone’s cheerful faces.
The union members livened up the program with a vibrant flashmob dance medley.
In response, the children’s performances were incredibly adorable and surprisingly professional.
The earth, mountains, and people seemed to unite in a shared joy – a sense of closeness, warmth, and affection that was truly special.
To the joyful tune of “The Star Lantern Song”, the students and staff enjoyed the festive Mid-Autumn feast together, tasting mooncakes – perhaps for the first time for many children in this remote mountainous area.
The lion dance performance was likely the most impressive gift, prepared especially by our union members for the children.
Not only were the children thrilled, but the locals were also delighted by the comedic acts of Uncle Cuội, the Earth God, and the lion dancers.
Let’s carry our star lanterns together and welcome the full-moon festival!
This may have been the warmest, most heartwarming “Mid-Autumn Festival for Children” we’ve ever experienced, thanks to the genuine human connections we built. As we returned to the bus, our hearts were filled with happiness. A full and joyful Mid-Autumn Festival was brought all the way from Hanoi to the land of Võ Nhai. Thank you to everyone!
Executive Committee of the Trade Union
