{"id":4557,"date":"2020-09-17T16:29:19","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T08:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=4557"},"modified":"2021-11-11T10:29:45","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T02:29:45","slug":"mid-autumn-festival-toys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/mid-autumn-festival-toys\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival Toys That Will Bring Smiles To Your Children’s Faces"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mid-Autumn Festival toys<\/h2>\n
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Aside from savoring mooncakes<\/a>, playing with new toys is an indispensable part of every Vietnamese kid\u2019s <\/span>Mid-Autumn Festival<\/span>. It\u2019s a tradition for parents to buy these traditional toys for their children to partake in the festival, and this year is no exception for families looking to celebrate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Give your kids a chance to have fun the<\/span> old-fashioned <\/b>way, putting iPads and electronic items aside, and check out this list of Mid-Autumn Festival toys<\/strong> that\u2019ll keep them entertained while learning about Vietnamese culture and history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. 5-pointed star lanterns<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: \u5201\u65b0\u5e73\u200e<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For as long as one can remember, having a parade around the streets on the full-moon day while carrying star lanterns is an unskippable part of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival for Vietnamese children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While this ritual is no longer popular as it used to be 10 years ago, star lanterns are still the most iconic symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam. Made of<\/span> thin bamboo<\/b> and ornamented with colorful red and yellow cellophane wrappers, these lanterns can even serve as decorations to brighten up your living space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: \u5201\u65b0\u5e73\u200e<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

You can buy the star lanterns in every toy store in Vietnam or place your orders online <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. If you\u2019re resourceful enough, you can make your own DIY star lantern with store-bought materials by following a tutorial video <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/b><\/span> VND8,000-VND15,000 (~USD0.35-USD0.65)<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Hanging paper and silk lanterns<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: \u5201\u65b0\u5e73\u200e<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a lantern fan looking for lanterns with<\/span> a longer lifespan and that can be used for more occasions <\/b>compared to the 5-pointed star lanterns, try these foldable hanging lanterns.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: \u0110\u00e8n L\u1ed3ng Duy Ph\u00e1t<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Made from paper or silk, supported with wooden or bamboo frames, and lit with a candle or electric wick on the inside, these lanterns make<\/span> stunning household decorations<\/b> with a <\/span>timeless flair<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: \u0110\u00e8n L\u1ed3ng Duy Ph\u00e1t<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Unlike the star lanterns with mostly red and yellow colors, paper lanterns give you <\/span>more options of shapes and shades<\/b> to choose from.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the Mid-Autumn Festival is over, you can even reuse these paper lanterns for the Lunar New Year Festival.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can find a wide variety of hanging lanterns in Hanoi\u2019s <\/span>H\u00e0ng M\u00e3 Street<\/span><\/a> or Saigon\u2019s <\/span>L\u01b0\u01a1ng Nh\u1eef H\u1ecdc Street<\/span><\/a> in District 5. Alternatively, purchase them online on <\/span>\u0110\u00e8n L\u1ed3ng Duy Ph\u00e1t<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>TIKI <\/span><\/a>or <\/span>Shopee<\/span><\/a> to save on shopping time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/b><\/span> VND65,000-VND600,000 (~USD2.80-25.89)<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Wood drums<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: Shopee<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

When you see a group of children marching the streets carrying star lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival, at least one of them will be playing a handheld red drum made of wood to add a <\/span>festive<\/b> air to the march.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Each Mid-Autumn Festival drum<\/strong> has a circumference of only 10 to 20 cm, and is easy to carry by hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: TIKI<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For a more contemporary look, or as a decorative item or toy for the kids, you can also get a lighter drum with<\/span> decorative motifs and even handles.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

If your kids are too young for the wider drums, you can buy them <\/span>rattle drums<\/b>, which are no less entertaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: TIKI<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A rattle drum comprises one double-headed drum on a rod and 2 pellets connected on both sides by a cord. When you start twisting the drum back and forth, the pellets will strike the drum and let out rhythmic sounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can buy these drums in any toy store in Vietnam or place your orders online on <\/span>TIKI<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Shopee<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/b><\/span> VND20,000-VND150,000 (~USD0.86-USD6.47)<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Lion heads<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: abby.vn<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Your kids don\u2019t have to be professional lion dancers to appreciate the distinct charm of a <\/span>colorful lion head.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: B\u00e1o C\u00f4ng An<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Those of us who put on a lion head to dance aimlessly with our neighbors\u2019 kids under the full moon day decades ago shouldn\u2019t let our kids and younger relatives miss out on the same excitement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: <\/span>Shopee<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

These lion heads can also work as hanging decorations in your living room or bedroom when the festival is over. You can visit many toy stores across Vietnam to buy lion heads with<\/span> sizes and weights<\/b> that suit your child. If you don\u2019t have time to shop, you can place your orders <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0However, remember to ask the seller carefully about the size and details of the lion heads to make sure they\u2019re neither too big nor small for your kids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/b><\/span> VND60,000-VND160,000 (~USD2.59-USD6.90)<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Themed masks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: L\u00e2n S\u01b0 R\u1ed3ng Minh Ho\u00e0ng Chuy\u00ean B\u00e1n S\u1ec9 v\u00e0 L\u1ebb T\u1ea1i H\u1ea3i Ph\u00f2ng.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Incidentally, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is also a chance to dance around in painted masks – that fit in nicely with Halloween.<\/span><\/p>\n

The difference is that instead of scary ghost-like masks, our masks mimic Vietnamese folktale figures, the most notable of whom is <\/span>Uncle T\u1ec5u<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nAdaptation of Uncle T\u1ec5u figure on a puppet stage<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Wikipedia<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

A folktale figure in Northern Vietnamese literature as well as on puppet stages, Uncle T\u1ec5u is a comedic character who shows up at village fests to whip the crowd into laughter with his funny stories. Since Uncle T\u1ec5u is known as a<\/span> funny and bubbly<\/b> man, themed masks that mimic his facial expressions are usually painted with smiling faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Uncle T\u1ec5u-themed masks are popular among children, they\u2019re also commonly worn by <\/span>Vietnamese lion dancers<\/b> to add a cultural twist to the performances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: M\u0103ng Non Kindergarten<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Unlike Halloween masks that are often made from latex with a rubbery feel, traditional Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival masks are usually made of <\/span>paper, cardboard, <\/b>and <\/span>gypsum powder<\/b> for a thicker texture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on your kids\u2019 preferences, you can choose masks with materials that make it easy for them to <\/span>see through, breathe in, and have fun<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nA student decorating his own Mid-Autumn festival mask<\/span>
\n<\/span>Image credit: <\/span>Th\u0103ng Long<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

If your children are too young to understand this traditional character, you can also buy them animal masks such as lion or rabbit masks.<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019re available in every toy store in Vietnam or online at <\/span>Shopee<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Viet Masks<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Nh\u1ea1c c\u1ee5 phong v\u00e2n<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>M\u1eb7t n\u1ea1 gi\u1ea5y b\u1ed3i<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/span> <\/b>VND50,000 – VND150,000 (~USD2.16-USD6.47)<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Painted trays<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: Beatvn<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In recent years, <\/span>painted bamboo trays<\/b> have emerged as a new art form and are also Insta-worthy household ornaments. Traditionally, they’re <\/span>kitchen items<\/b> on which food plates are placed. While these items vanished from most Vietnamese families many years ago, they’ve recently made their way back as household ornaments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage adapted from: Beatvn<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Instead of carrying food, these trays are now used as <\/span>canvases<\/b> for paintings of Vietnamese folktales and classic motifs. From Ch\u00ed Ph\u00e8o to Th\u1ecb N\u1edf, traditional Vietnamese folktale figures are tastefully painted on these trays to give them a classic look.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only can these bamboo trays be <\/span>eye-catching ornaments<\/b> that pique your kids\u2019 interest in learning about Vietnamese folktales, but they also give your living space a cultural and festive air.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can find a wide variety of hanging lanterns in Hanoi\u2019s <\/span>H\u00e0ng M\u00e3 Street<\/span><\/a> or Saigon\u2019s <\/span>L\u01b0\u01a1ng Nh\u1eef H\u1ecdc Street<\/span><\/a> in District 5, or also purchase them online on <\/span>Viet Art Deco<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>\u0110\u00e8n l\u1ed3ng S\u00e0i G\u00f2n<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>T\u00e2m Nguy\u1ec5n Shop<\/span><\/a> for better convenience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/b><\/span> from VND50,000 (~USD2.16)<\/span><\/p>\n

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7. Folktale character costumes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: Shopee<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Mid-Autumn festival is also a rare chance for your kids to <\/span>morph into their favorite folktale characters with costumes<\/b>, such as the flowy robes of the mythical <\/span>Princess H\u1eb1ng Nga<\/b> who drank the elixir of life and flew to the moon, or the character Uncle Cu\u1ed9i<\/strong>, who is believed to be stranded on the moon after holding on to a flying tree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: L\u1ee5c Ti\u1ec3u Mi Shop<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Most schools in Vietnam also host Mid-Autumn-themed parties and shows where kids perform and have fun, so you can buy some <\/span>Mid-Autumn-themed costumes<\/b> for them to wear to their school celebrations to add more festivity to this occasion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can buy Mid-Autumn-themed costumes for your kids <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/b><\/span> VND390,000-VND1,000,000 (~USD16.83-USD43.15)<\/span><\/p>\n

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8. Mid-Autumn-themed dolls<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: Yay Toys<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

To help your kids develop some dress-up and social skills, you can consider buying them Mid-Autumn Festival dolls.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: B\u00e9 \u00dat Chibi<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Even though dolls are not traditional toys, toy sellers have rolled out Mid-Autumn-themed dolls clad in traditional outfits that allow kids to have fun while having a better idea of how Mid-Autumn folklore figures look and dress like.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can catch sight of these dolls in many toy stores around Vietnam, or purchase them online at Yay Toys<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and <\/span>Shopee<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price: <\/b><\/span>VND550,000-VND1,000,000 (~USD23.73-USD43.15)<\/span><\/p>\n

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9. Flutes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: ph\u00e1p tv<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Even if your kids are not musically inclined, <\/span>flutes <\/b>will still bring them some fun and teach them a thing or two about music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Uncle Cu\u1ed9i<\/b>, one of the above-mentioned protagonists in Mid-Autumn Festival folklore, is always featured sitting at a tree with a flute in his hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nUncle Cu\u1ed9i<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Lamdepchobe TV<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

You can encourage your child to learn more about this age-old folklore by teaching them how to play the flute or having them incorporate it into their costumes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mid-Autumn
\nImage credit: S\u00e1o Tr\u00fac Tr\u01b0\u1eddng Sa<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry if the toy flute isn\u2019t perfectly in tune – you can still use it as a decorative ornament after the festival is over. You can buy a toy flute in many toy stores around Vietnam or purchase them online at<\/span> S\u00e1o Tr\u00fac Tr\u01b0\u1eddng Sa<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Lazada<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Price:<\/b><\/span> VND150,000 – VND1,500,000 (~USD6.47-USD64.72)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Vietnamese traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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In this age of fast-paced technology and social media, it\u2019s hard to keep your children entertained without video games and smartphones. However, it\u2019s important that we let our next generation learn about our rich Vietnamese culture, which should be kept alive through constant practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since Vietnamese culture has a great influence on traditional arts, we can encourage our children to explore the country’s heritage through Vietnamese traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys and ornaments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also check out:<\/span><\/p>\n