Tết Trung Thu Ho Chi Minh City 2025

There’s no festival quite like Tết Trung Thu in Ho Chi Minh City. On October 6, 2025, the streets will light up for Vietnam’s beloved Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Children’s Festival or the Moon Festival, a night of colorful lanterns, lion dances, and plenty of mooncakes – marking the height of Vietnam’s harvest season and one of its most cherished holidays. While the festival is celebrated across many Asian countries, the atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City is uniquely positive, especially around Lương Nhữ Học Street in Chợ Lớn, where the heart of the celebration beats loudest.

Locals and foreign tourists will gather to admire elaborately decorated boxes filled with baked cakes, watch kids proudly carry star-shaped lanterns, and enjoy the warmth of a lantern festival rooted in family reunions, lunar calendar traditions, and age-old legends like the magical banyan tree. While Ho Chi Minh City is known for its modern energy, neighborhoods like Chợ Lớn reflect the soul of an ancient town, especially during Tết Trung Thu, when traditional performances fill the streets.

What to Expect When Attending Tết Trung Thu Ho Chi Minh City 2025

Mid-Autumn festivities in Ho Chi Minh spill out into the streets with live performances, dragon dance parades, traditional markets, and lantern processions that run deep into the evening. Areas like District 5 turn into a wonderland of streets adorned with lanterns, music, and movement.

Expect to see lion dancers practicing in alleys, mooncake stalls popping up on every corner, and children beaming as they join in on the fun. While the festival is mostly free to attend, some pop-ups and private shows may have ticketed access – generally for a small fee in Vietnamese dong.

And of course, everything is timed to the full moon, said to be brightest on this day in the eighth lunar month – a symbol of unity and family in Vietnamese culture.

How to get to or from the event

Getting around Ho Chi Minh City during Tết Trung Thu is surprisingly manageable if you plan ahead.

• By Taxi or Rideshare – Use Grab or Gojek for easy pickups and drop-offs. Expect higher demand around Chợ Lớn and District 5 in the evening.
• By Bus – City buses service most neighborhoods and drop off near Lantern Street on Lương Nhữ Học. It’s affordable and safe.
• By Scooter – If you're feeling adventurous and have a license, scooters are fast and flexible – but make sure to park in designated areas.
• From Tan Son Nhat Airport – Take a taxi or Grab directly to District 5; the ride takes about 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Since large crowds gather for the evening shows, arrive early if you want the best photo ops or a front-row view of the lion dances.

Tết Trung Thu Ho Chi Minh City 2025 Bag Policy

There’s no official bag policy posted for the citywide event, but if you're attending crowded street festivals or private venues, it’s best to keep things light. Bring a small backpack or crossbody bag and leave bulky luggage behind.

Security checks aren’t common, but with so many families in tight spaces, large bags could slow you down – or just be a hassle. Children parade through narrow streets, and the last thing you want is to bump a kid with a giant suitcase while they’re carrying a lantern shaped like the moon.

Tết Trung Thu Ho Chi Minh City 2025 Bag Storage

Store Your Stuff and Go Full Moon Mode With Bounce

Carrying bags around the Mid-Autumn Festival can turn a magical evening into a sweaty struggle. If you're traveling or shopping beforehand, stash your belongings at a nearby Bounce location and join the celebration hands-free.

• Affordable: Store bags from just ₫78,152 per day – charged by the day, not the hour.
• Secure: Every booking includes $10,000 in protection for your peace of mind.
• 24/7 Support: Something comes up? We’re always here.
• Flexible Cancellation: Plans change – we get it. Cancel before check-in for a full refund.

How to Store Your Bags for Tết Trung Thu Ho Chi Minh City 2025

Don’t let your bags miss out on their own vacation:

• Book online: Use the Bounce app to find a storage spot near District 5 or Chợ Lớn.
• Drop them off: Show your confirmation and leave your stuff with a trusted local partner.
• Enjoy the fest: Wander through the lantern-lit streets without a care in the world.

Tips to Make the Most Out of Tết Trung Thu Ho Chi Minh City 2025

• Get there before sunset: The lantern displays glow brightest right after dark, but crowds peak later in the evening.
• Try different mooncakes: Sample both traditional (like lotus seed paste) and modern (green tea or chocolate!) versions.
• Dress for warmth and comfort: Evenings in October hover around 25–27 C (77–81 F) with a chance of light rain.
• Bring cash: Most street vendors don’t accept cards.
• Look for hidden gems: Some smaller city districts host pop-up performances or traditional toys markets.
• Skip the bulk: Store your luggage with Bounce and keep your hands free for lanterns and sticky cakes.

From Hang Ma Street in Hanoi to the lantern-filled alleys of Chợ Lớn in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mid-Autumn Festival turns Vietnam’s cities into glowing celebrations of tradition. Between the dancing lions, glowing lanterns, and sweet mooncakes, it’s a night where Vietnamese culture, family joy, and childhood magic come together under the full moon.