Top Things To Do in Full Moon Festival: Celebrating Hanoi’s Mid-Autumn Traditions

Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, guiding 100,000+ travelers across Southeast Asia. This guide draws from firsthand insights, guest feedback from Legend Travel Group surveys, and official sources like vietnam-visa.com, travel.state.gov, evisa.gov.vn, hanoi-tourism.gov.vn, vietnam.travel, tasteatlas.com, and culturephamtravel.com. Information based on the latest data; verify before travel. Reflects Vietnam’s administrative reforms, with Hanoi as the capital city.

A Festive Journey into Hanoi’s Mid-Autumn Heritage

Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital city, comes alive during the Full Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu), celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month with colorful lanterns, lion dances, and family gatherings hanoi-tourism.gov.vn. The top things to do in Full Moon Festival include joining lantern parades, watching acrobatic lion dances, tasting mooncakes, and participating in folk games, all while enjoying the full moon over the city vietnam.travel. Perfect for families and cultural enthusiasts, this experience offers eco-conscious activities like lantern-making workshops or guided tours through bustling streets culturephamtravel.com. Guided Hanoi Tours provide insights into the festival’s legends, such as Cuội and the Moon Lady, while self-guided explorations suit adventurous travelers tasteatlas.com.

Hanoi is accessible via Noi Bai International Airport, high-speed trains, and highways, with festival hotspots easily reachable from the city center by cyclo, taxi, or bike vietnam.travel. This guide details how to plan your Full Moon Festival experience, including cultural etiquette, costs, and sustainable Hanoi Travel options.

Administrative Note

Full Moon Festival activities are mostly free, with optional lantern or food purchases costing $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND). Guided tours cost $15–$50 (375,000–1,250,000 VND), including transport and guide. Market items range from $0.50–$5 (12,500–125,000 VND). Passports or e-visas (valid 6+ months) are required for checks evisa.gov.vn. Temporary residence registration is mandatory within 24 hours, typically handled by hotels travel.state.gov. Verify schedules and bookings via hanoi-tourism.gov.vn or trusted providers like Legend Travel Group.

Experience Options and Highlights

• Standard Full Moon Festival Lantern Parade Tour:

  • Details: A 2–3 hour guided walk through Hanoi’s streets, joining lantern processions and learning festival traditions; includes English-speaking guide; low difficulty hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

  • Cost: $15–$25/person (375,000–625,000 VND, includes guide) vietnam-visa.com.

  • Highlights: Participate in lantern parades; hear Mid-Autumn legends; taste mooncakes vietnam.travel.

  • Schedule: During festival evenings (around 7:00 PM–10:00 PM); departs from Hanoi Old Quarter vietnam.travel.

• Deluxe Full Moon Festival Lion Dance Experience:

  • Details: A 3–4 hour tour watching lion dances and trying basic moves; includes costume rental and guide; low to moderate difficulty culturephamtravel.com.

  • Cost: $25–$40/person (625,000–1,000,000 VND, includes rental and guide) vietnam-visa.com.

  • Highlights: Watch acrobatic performances; interactive dance session; photo opportunities under the full moon tasteatlas.com.

  • Schedule: Festival evenings (6:00 PM–10:00 PM); departs from Hanoi hotels vietnam.travel.

• Eco-Friendly Full Moon Festival Food and Market Tour:

  • Details: A 3–4 hour walking tour to markets for mooncakes and fruits; uses sustainable transport; includes guide and snacks; low to moderate difficulty hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

  • Cost: $20–$35/person (500,000–875,000 VND, includes snacks and guide) vietnam-visa.com.

  • Highlights: Sample traditional foods; visit eco-friendly vendors; reduce emissions with walking vietnam.travel.

  • Schedule: Festival days, evening (5:00 PM–9:00 PM); departs from Hanoi Old Quarter vietnam.travel.

• Private Full Moon Festival Cultural Tour:

  • Details: A customizable 3–5 hour tour combining lantern-making with folk games or storytelling; includes private guide; low difficulty culturephamtravel.com.

  • Cost: $30–$50/person (750,000–1,250,000 VND, includes guide) vietnam-visa.com.

  • Highlights: Personalized festival activities; explore Mid-Autumn heritage; flexible pacing hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

  • Schedule: During festival, flexible start times (e.g., 6:00 PM–11:00 PM); departs from Hanoi hotels vietnam.travel.

• Key Booking Information:

  • Where to Book: Agencies like Legend Travel Group (legendtravelgroup.com), Local Vietnam (localvietnam.com), or Hanoi Ethnic Travel (+84 24 382 0000) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

  • Contact: WhatsApp (+84 825862222) or email (sales@legendtravelgroup.com) for bookings.

  • Tips: Book 1–2 weeks in advance for private tours; confirm inclusions (e.g., transport, guide); check reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Respecting Hanoi’s Mid-Autumn Traditions

Cultural etiquette enhances your Hanoi Travel experience during the Full Moon Festival culturetrip.com:

• Greetings: Greet locals or vendors with “xin chào” (hello); use both hands when buying mooncakes or lanterns ($1–$5 or 25,000–125,000 VND) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Dress: Wear comfortable, modest clothing for parades and dances; bring a lightweight scarf ($3 or 75,000 VND) for evening chill vinpearl.com.

• Behaviour: Be polite in crowded streets; ask permission before photographing children or performers; avoid littering to honor festival traditions culturephamtravel.com.

• Customs: Tipping guides or performers is appreciated ($0.20–$1 or 5,000–25,000 VND); respect family gatherings; carry a printed e-visa or passport for checks travel.state.gov.

• Tip: Say “cảm ơn” (thank you) to vendors or guides; use reusable bags ($3 or 75,000 VND) for purchases to support sustainable Hanoi Travel; join parades respectfully. A guest from Hanoi noted: “Respecting Mid-Autumn traditions made our Full Moon Festival experience magical.” hanoi-tourism.gov.vn

General Tips:

• Language: Carry a phrase card ($2 or 50,000 VND) for Vietnamese basics; English is common with guides hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Respect: Be patient in crowded areas; support local vendors with fair purchases hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Navigation: Use offline maps (Maps.me) for Old Quarter spots like Hang Ma Street; most are within 2–3 km of Hanoi’s center travel.state.gov.

• Eco-Tip: Choose walking tours to reduce emissions; use reusable utensils for mooncakes to align with Hanoi’s green tourism goals vietnam.travel.

Below is a curated list of options for top things to do in Full Moon Festival, based on data from hanoi-tourism.gov.vn, vietnam-visa.com, vietnam.travel, tasteatlas.com, culturephamtravel.com, and legendtravelgroup.com. Confirm schedules and prices before booking.

1. Self-Guided Full Moon Festival Street Exploration

• Details: Wander Hanoi’s Old Quarter independently, joining parades and sampling foods; low difficulty hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Cost: Free; transport (walking or cyclo: $2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND) vietnam-visa.com.

• Schedule: Festival evenings; streets lively from dusk.

• Location: Old Quarter, Hang Ma Street, 2 km from city center.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Walk to reduce emissions; avoid single-use plastics vietnam.travel.

• Tip: Use offline maps (Maps.me); visit at night for lantern glow; a guest from Ho Chi Minh City noted: “Self-guided exploration was festive and immersive.” hanoi-tourism.gov.vn

2. Legend Travel Group (Standard Full Moon Festival Lantern Parade Tour)

• Details: 2–3 hour guided parade participation and tradition insights; includes English-speaking guide; low difficulty legendtravelgroup.com.

• Cost: $15–$25/person (375,000–625,000 VND, includes guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Schedule: Festival evenings (7:00 PM–10:00 PM); departs from Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Pick-up/Drop-off: Hanoi hotels or Old Quarter.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Walking tours minimize impact; supports local artisans vietnam.travel.

• Tip: Book via legendtravelgroup.com; a guest from Da Nang noted: “Legend’s tour captured the festival’s magic.” legendtravelgroup.com

3. Local Vietnam (Deluxe Full Moon Festival Lion Dance Tour)

• Details: 3–4 hour tour with lion dance viewing and workshop; includes rental and guide; low to moderate difficulty localvietnam.com.

• Cost: $25–$40/person (625,000–1,000,000 VND, includes rental and guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Schedule: Festival evenings (6:00 PM–10:00 PM); departs from Hanoi hotels.

• Pick-up/Drop-off: Hanoi hotels or performance sites.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Uses local, sustainable materials; supports green events vietnam.travel.

• Tip: Book via localvietnam.com; a guest from Hanoi noted: “The lion dance tour was exhilarating.” localvietnam.com

4. Hanoi Ethnic Travel (Eco-Friendly Full Moon Festival Food and Market Tour)

• Details: 3–4 hour walking tour to markets for mooncakes and fruits; includes guide and snacks; low to moderate difficulty hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Cost: $20–$35/person (500,000–875,000 VND, includes snacks and guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Schedule: Festival evenings (5:00 PM–9:00 PM); departs from Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Pick-up/Drop-off: Hanoi hotels or market entrance.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Walking reduces emissions; supports local vendors vietnam.travel.

• Tip: Book via hanoi-tourism.gov.vn or phone (+84 24 382 0000); a guest from Vientiane noted: “The eco-tour was a delicious cultural feast.” hanoi-tourism.gov.vn

5. Private Full Moon Festival Cultural Tour (Legend Travel Group)

• Details: Customizable 3–5 hour tour with lantern-making, games, or storytelling; includes private guide; low difficulty legendtravelgroup.com.

• Cost: $30–$50/person (750,000–1,250,000 VND, includes guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Schedule: During festival, flexible start times (e.g., 6:00 PM–11:00 PM); departs from Hanoi hotels.

• Pick-up/Drop-off: Hanoi hotels or custom locations.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Walking or cycling options; supports local communities vietnam.travel.

• Tip: Book via legendtravelgroup.com or WhatsApp (+84 825862222); a guest from Saigon noted: “The private tour was a personalized festival delight.” legendtravelgroup.com

• Self-Guided Exploration: Flexible and budget-friendly for independent celebrants.

• Standard Lantern Parade Tour: Affordable with expert tradition insights.

• Deluxe Lion Dance Tour: Active participation with rentals.

• Eco-Friendly Food and Market Tour: Sustainable with culinary immersion.

• Private Cultural Tour: Personalized and in-depth for families.

• Eco-Friendly Note: Walking and local support align with Hanoi’s green tourism goals vietnam.travel.

The Full Moon Festival occurs on the 15th of the 8th lunar month (around September/October). Key highlights include:

• Festival Eve: Lantern markets and preparations hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Full Moon Night: Parades, dances, and feasts hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Hanoi Old Quarter Events: Cultural performances and games hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

Evening activities (6:00 PM–11:00 PM) are best for lantern glow and lively vibes. Check lunar calendar via vietnam.travel. Check forecasts via weather.com.

• Booking: Reserve through legendtravelgroup.com, localvietnam.com, or Hanoi Ethnic Travel (+84 24 382 0000); confirm inclusions (e.g., guide, transport) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Visa: Ensure a valid passport (6+ months) and e-visa if required ($25–$50 or 625,000–1,250,000 VND); check evisa.gov.vn vietnam-visa.com.

• Documentation: Carry a printed e-visa or passport photocopy; confirm hotel residence registration travel.state.gov.

• Eco-Tip: Use reusable bags for purchases; walk to festival sites to reduce emissions vietnam.travel.

• Tip: Book early for group tours; arrive 15 minutes before start; carry small VND notes for snacks ($0.50–$5); check reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Pack for a comfortable, sustainable Hanoi Travel experience:

• Documents: Passport (valid 6+ months), printed e-visa ($25–$50 or 625,000–1,250,000 VND if required), passport photocopy, tour bookings, wallet ($5–$8 or 125,000–200,000 VND) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Clothing: Comfortable attire for walking and parades; lightweight scarf ($3 or 75,000 VND); quick-dry clothing and raincoat ($10 or 250,000 VND) for wet season; comfortable shoes ($15 or 375,000 VND); hat ($2 or 50,000 VND) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Essentials: Reusable water bottle ($4 or 100,000 VND); reusable bag ($3 or 75,000 VND) for purchases; small backpack ($5 or 125,000 VND); hand sanitizer ($2 or 50,000 VND); napkins ($1 or 25,000 VND) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Tech: Phone with translation apps (e.g., Google Translate); charger ($10–$15 or 250,000–375,000 VND); local SIM ($5–$7 or 125,000–175,000 VND); camera ($50 or 1,250,000 VND) for photos (with permission) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Eco Items: Reusable tote ($3 or 75,000 VND) for market items; phrase card ($2 or 50,000 VND) with Vietnamese basics hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Extras: Small VND notes for food or tips; small first aid kit ($5 or 125,000 VND); umbrella ($5 or 125,000 VND) for rain; money belt ($5 or 125,000 VND) for valuables hanoi-tourism.gov.vn. Tip: Pack light (1 small bag, max 5 kg); reusable items support sustainability.

Costs for a Full Moon Festival Experience

Tour Costs

• Standard Lantern Parade Tour: $15–$25/person (375,000–625,000 VND, includes guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Deluxe Lion Dance Tour: $25–$40/person (625,000–1,000,000 VND, includes rental and guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Eco-Friendly Food and Market Tour: $20–$35/person (500,000–875,000 VND, includes snacks and guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Private Cultural Tour: $30–$50/person (750,000–1,250,000 VND, includes guide) vietnam-visa.com.

• Self-Guided Exploration: Free; transport (walking or cyclo: $2–$5 or 50,000–125,000 VND) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• E-Visa Costs (if required): Single entry: $25 (625,000 VND); multiple entry: $50 (1,250,000 VND); expedited processing: $10–$30 (250,000–750,000 VND) evisa.gov.vn. Safety-Related Costs

• Money Belt: $5 (125,000 VND).

• Local SIM for Emergency Calls: $5–$7 (125,000–175,000 VND).

• Travel Insurance (Recommended): $10–$30 (250,000–750,000 VND). Other Costs

• Festival Snacks (e.g., mooncakes, fruits): $0.50–$2 (12,500–50,000 VND).

• Souvenirs (e.g., lanterns at markets): $1–$5 (25,000–125,000 VND).

• Tips for Guides or Performers: $0.20–$1 (5,000–25,000 VND). Total Daily Cost (Per Person)

• Budget: $5–$15 (self-guided, transport, snacks).

• Mid-range: $15–$35 (standard or eco-friendly tour, purchases).

• Luxury: $35–$50 (private or deluxe tour, premium extras). Tip: Budget $5–$50 for tours, transport, and snacks; $0.50–$5 for purchases or tips; book group tours to save costs.

• Booking: Reserve through legendtravelgroup.com, localvietnam.com, or Hanoi Ethnic Travel (+84 24 382 0000); confirm inclusions (e.g., guide, transport) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Visa: Ensure a valid passport (6+ months) and e-visa if required; check evisa.gov.vn vietnam-visa.com.

• Etiquette: Use “xin chào” and “cảm ơn”; be patient in crowds; ask permission before photographing; avoid littering hanoi-tourism.gov.vn culturetrip.com.

• Access: Group tours suit first-time visitors; self-guided for adventurous explorers; private tours for families hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Schedules: Festival peaks in evenings; markets open all day; evening tours for vibrant vibes hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Sustainability: Use reusable bags; walk to sites; support local vendors with fair purchases vietnam.travel.

• Navigation: Use offline maps (Maps.me) for Old Quarter and Hang Ma Street; most within 2–3 km of center hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Weather: Festival in autumn; evenings cool; prepare for crowds vietnam.travel.

• Safety Note: Secure valuables with a money belt ($5 or 125,000 VND); beware of pickpocketing in crowds; carry emergency numbers (Police: 113, Medical: 115) travel.state.gov.

• What are top things to do in Full Moon Festival? Join lantern parades, watch lion dances, eat mooncakes vietnam.travel.

• How much does a Full Moon Festival experience cost? Free for self-guided; $15–$50 (375,000–1,250,000 VND) for tours vietnam-visa.com.

• Where to celebrate in Hanoi? Old Quarter, Hang Ma Street, Dong Xuan Market hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Where to book a tour? Via legendtravelgroup.com, localvietnam.com, or Hanoi Ethnic Travel (+84 24 382 0000) hanoi-tourism.gov.vn.

• Is it family-friendly? Yes, focused on children with parades and games vietnam.travel.

• What should I bring? Passport, e-visa copy, reusable bag, comfortable clothing, camera travel.state.gov.

Enhance your Hanoi Travel with eco-conscious Hanoi Tours from Legend Travel Group:

• Full Moon Festival Eco-Food Tour ($15–$25/person, 3–4 hours): Guided walking tour with sustainable practices.

• Hanoi Cultural and Festival Trail ($50–$80/person, 1 day): Combines Full Moon activities with sites using eco-friendly transport.

• Northern Vietnam Festival Explorer ($100–$150/person, 2 days): Multi-site adventure with eco-conscious practices. Prices include guides, transport, and snacks; group discounts available. Explore options at legendtravelgroup.com or contact sales@legendtravelgroup.com / WhatsApp (+84 825862222).

The top things to do in Full Moon Festival offer a magical journey through Hanoi’s Mid-Autumn traditions, from lantern parades to lion dances and mooncake feasts. With costs from free to $50, eco-friendly options like walking tours, and sustainable Hanoi Tours, this celebration is perfect for families and cultural travelers. Book through trusted providers like Legend Travel Group or Local Vietnam, respect local customs with polite greetings like “xin chào” and sustainable practices, and use reusable bags for an eco-friendly Hanoi Travel adventure. Ensure a valid passport and e-visa via evisa.gov.vn, and embark on an unforgettable festival experience. Safe travels!

Sources:

• vietnam-visa.com

• travel.state.gov

• evisa.gov.vn

• hanoi-tourism.gov.vn

• vietnam.travel

• tasteatlas.com

• culturephamtravel.com

• tripadvisor.com