Autumn – the season of golden sunshine and the occasional drizzle, the season of crimson persimmons, green young rice, mooncakes, and the nostalgic beauty of childhood. It’s fair to say that August is the most vibrant and joyful time of the season, when children brim with excitement, the streets come alive with people buying mooncakes, fruits, colorful star lanterns and paper lanterns – all in anticipation of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Hanoi’s Hang Ma Street is splendidly decorated with a wide array of vivid lanterns right from the start of the month, bringing a festive vibe that everyone can feel.
For the ITC family, Mid-Autumn is always a time for our little ITCers to enjoy, to explore new things, to share laughter, and to gather around for the traditional celebration. That’s why the 2022 Mid-Autumn Festival, themed “Full Moon Festival,” was successfully held in a warm, joyful atmosphere right at the company’s building on the morning of September 10.
Photo: Children and the beautifully prepared fruit tray for the Mid-Autumn Festival
Aiming to embrace creativity and innovation while preserving the traditional essence of this special day, ITC’s children had the chance to engage in a variety of exciting activities, including the “Smart 4.0 Lantern” workshop and shaping tò he – a traditional Vietnamese toy made of colored rice dough, which has accompanied many generations of Vietnamese children.
The program kicked off with a fun warm-up game hosted by “Uncle Cuội” to help the children get energized and connect with one another. The kids formed a circle, each holding the edge of a large piece of cloth filled with balloons. On the count of 1-2-3, they all tossed the balloons into the air together. This engaging game required coordination, quick reaction, and teamwork to succeed.
Photo: Kids excitedly taking part in the warm-up game
Following the game, the children watched a short animated film titled The Legend of the Mid-Autumn Festival, where they learned about the origins and cultural significance of this holiday. The charming and friendly animation, along with a simple and meaningful storyline, captivated the kids and helped them understand more about this cherished Vietnamese tradition – the festival of reunion.
Photo: Children watching the animated film “The Legend of the Mid-Autumn Festival”
Next came the warm-up game for the main workshop “Smart 4.0 Lantern.” The kids took part in a puzzle game called “Wood Block Challenge.” Each child received a set of nine uniquely shaped wooden pieces. After Uncle Cuội showed a sample image, the kids used their imagination and spatial skills to recreate the image as quickly as possible. From basic shapes like squares and apples to houses and boats, the children picked up the game quickly and showed great creativity, intelligence, and agility.
Photo: Kids focused on solving the “Wood Block Challenge” puzzle
After learning about the festival’s story and playing some games, it was time for the most exciting part of the “Full Moon Festival” program. The children were divided into two groups for two main activities: making Smart 4.0 Lanterns and shaping tò he. Older kids took part in the lantern-making workshop, while the younger ones were guided in shaping cute and colorful tò he figures.
Photo: Children focused on crafting their lanterns and watching the teacher shape “tò he“
In the past, lanterns were made of paper, recycled cans, or more recently, electric battery-powered ones that play music. But this 4.0 wooden lantern is a creative blend of tradition and technology – and completely safe for kids.
Photo: The 4.0 smart lantern
The kids got hands-on experience in crafting their own lanterns – from sawing and nailing the wooden frame to installing light sensors that made their lanterns “smart.” These magical lanterns could automatically light up in the dark, turn off in daylight, and even respond to touch – lighting up when touched and turning off when the touch stops. Amazing, right? What made it more special was that the kids could freely decorate their unique lanterns using colorful paper and stickers, making each creation truly one-of-a-kind.
Photo: A proudly finished lantern made by the kids
While the older kids were busy with their woodwork, the little ones enjoyed shaping tò he with the help of their teachers. This traditional toy, crafted from colorful sticky rice dough, has been a beloved part of rural Vietnamese culture for generations. However, for children born in the digital age, it remains a novelty. That’s why they were incredibly excited to try it out – enthusiastically turning the soft dough into five-pointed stars, bright flowers, and other vibrant creations…
Photo: Children happily shaping “tò he” and showing off their masterpieces
Photo: Kids gathering around to enjoy mooncakes and fruits – the Mid-Autumn tradition
As the “Full Moon Festival” program came to a close, the children were filled with joy and laughter, cherishing wonderful memories and bringing home their own handmade gifts for their parents – beautiful, unique crafts created with love during this special celebration. We hope the little ITCers always stay happy, healthy, and proud, and we look forward to seeing them again next Mid-Autumn Festival!
