Remember the first independent mid-autumn festival

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the country is stepping into a new era, remembering the full moon shining down on the independent countryside 80 years ago. The Mid-Autumn Festival of the Year of the Rooster (1945) and many years after was brilliant and warm not only because of lanterns, lion drums... but also because it was illuminated by the light of independence and freedom.

A program with the theme of Full Moon Festival at Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio and Television. Photo: Hanh Dung

“Happy Vietnamese children, long live independent Vietnam”

The Mid-Autumn Festival of the Year of the Rooster (1945) 80 years ago was perhaps a very special moon season for children and for the whole nation, because this was the first Mid-Autumn Festival in the independent country of Vietnam. During that meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival, President Ho Chi Minh sent letters twice expressing his love and messages to the young generation of the country.

On September 17, 1945, in the National Salvation Newspaper, President Ho Chi Minh wrote an article entitled Mid-Autumn Festival with Independence. He expressed his concern and love for children across the country during this Mid-Autumn Festival: “Mother has bought you lanterns, drums, firecrackers, flowers and many other toys. You are so happy!”

He expressed his joy with the children for two reasons. Besides the fact that he loved them very much, there was also a very special reason: "This Mid-Autumn Festival, our country has been freed and you have become small citizens of an independent country."

Uncle Ho's joy was also the joy and jubilation of the people of the whole country in the first autumn of national independence. Although the work of building the country had just begun and there were still many difficulties, Uncle Ho was busy with a thousand and one things, but on this important holiday in Vietnamese culture, especially for children, he still paid great attention and love.

Mid-Autumn Festival activities not only show the care and concern for the future generations of the country but also contribute to preserving the cultural values ​​of the nation. Uncle Cuoi, Sister Hang, the star lanterns, the moon cakes, the full moon night feasts and the bustling sound of lion drums throughout the neighborhood will forever be memorable childhood memories.

Dr. NGUYEN THI NGUYET, former Vice President of Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association

Not long after that, in the National Salvation Newspaper on September 22, 1945, he continued to write a letter to the children. In the letter, he advised and placed his trust and hope: “You must be good, listen to your parents at home, be diligent in school; love and respect your friends. You must love our country. I hope that you will grow up to be worthy citizens of an independent and free country.” Then he concluded the letter with a slogan and also a wish and a message for the next generation: “Happy Vietnamese children/ Long live independent Vietnam.”

The advice and love that Uncle Ho sent to children during the first Mid-Autumn Festival of Independence were simple, full of emotion and also very profound. Through the fun of the Mid-Autumn Festival, he not only expressed his love for the children in a simple and sincere way but also encouraged, cheered and believed that they would "grow up to be worthy citizens of an independent and free country".

From August 7 to 15 (lunar calendar), Dong Nai Children's House organized performance groups to serve the Mid-Autumn Festival programs in localities in the province such as: Dong Xoai ward, Thanh Son commune, Tan Trieu ward, Phu Ly commune, Dong Nai Children's Hospital...

In 117 Stories about Ho Chi Minh's moral example (National Political Publishing House - Truth, 2007), there is a story about Uncle Ho and the first independent Mid-Autumn Festival. Accordingly, not only did Uncle Ho write letters to children, he also met them directly and shared the joy with them on this special occasion. The Mid-Autumn Festival that year appeared very joyful and warm: “Hoan Kiem Lake was bustling with excitement. The lights were sparkling in the treetops. Thousands and thousands of paper lanterns in the children’s hands reflected on the lake’s surface. On top of the turtle tower, electric lights were shining with banners reading “Independent Vietnam”. At exactly 8:00 p.m., the first Independence Mid-Autumn Festival began. After the flag-raising ceremony, a child representing thousands of Hanoi children expressed their joy at becoming the young masters of an independent country... The ceremony ended, the neat groups marched to the sound of drums towards the Northern Palace. Leading the group were lion and dragon dance teams with thousands and thousands of shimmering paper lanterns winding like a river of stars…”.

Continuing the warm moon seasons

80 years have passed, but Uncle Ho's trust and expectations for future generations remain intact, continuing to be a profound lesson in the practice of caring for, nurturing and educating today's young generation.

Lion dance in the Mid-Autumn Festival for Children 2025 program in Loc Hung commune, Dong Nai province. Photo: An Nhon

In Dong Nai, every Mid-Autumn Festival, full moon festival activities are held with the cooperation of the entire political system and the community. Thereby, to bring children, especially those in difficult circumstances, children of ethnic minorities, and workers a joyful and warm Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Mid-Autumn Festival with lantern processions, lion, dragon and lion dance performances and especially giving Mid-Autumn gifts to disadvantaged children is a program regularly maintained by Dong Nai Children's House.

Mr. Truong Hai Thi, Director of Dong Nai Children's House, said: This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival - Lanterns light up dreams continues to bring joy to children when they carry lanterns on the main streets of Tran Bien ward; listen to the President's letter to teenagers and children on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival 2025. The organizing committee also gave 200 gifts to students in difficult circumstances who strive to study well, children in special circumstances, children of workers in the boarding house area...

This year, children across the country will have a more prosperous and abundant Mid-Autumn Festival, but the spirit and love that spread on that independent moonlit night is still present, reminding today's generation of gratitude, solidarity and the value of independence and freedom.

This year, children across the country and Dong Nai are eagerly watching the moon, carrying lanterns, breaking cakes... in joy from the cities to the countryside that is striving to renew itself, when the spirit and determination to build a strong and prosperous Vietnam is rising. Vietnamese people from children to the elderly, from the lowlands to the highlands, together tighten their arms of solidarity, the attachment from each family to the community, traditional cultural features continue to be revived in contemporary life, so that the following moon seasons in the peaceful and beautiful Vietnam will always be warm and complete.

Nhat Ha

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202510/nho-mua-trung-thu-doc-lap-dau-tien-43401bc/