Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival 2026: Sharing the same moon, strengthening Vietnam–China neighbourly ties
WVR - On the evening of September 21, at Ho Guom Theater, Hanoi, the Vietnam - China art program celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival 2026 with the theme “Sharing the Same Moon - Gathering Clouds - Strengthening Neighbourly Ties” took place with the participation of artists from Vietnam and China.
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The program was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and the Communication Department of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee; produced by Yunnan Radio and Television, coordinated by VIETART, with the companionship of Ho Guom Theater.
The event took place in 2026, marking the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China, the 10th anniversary of the official establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism, and the implementation of the “Vietnam - China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027”.
This is also the third consecutive year that Yunnan Province has collaborated to organize a cross-border Mid-Autumn art exchange program in Vietnam.
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| Performance space at Ho Guom Theater, Hanoi. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Attending the program were Mr. Wang Qun, Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Peng Bin, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Office for Spiritual Civilization Construction of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Wang Tingyao, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Yunnan Daily Press Group; Ms. Zhang Ying, Member of the Party Committee, Deputy General Director of Yunnan Radio and Television.
On the Vietnamese side, there were Mr. Ta Quang Dong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Ngo Minh Hien, Deputy General Director of the Voice of Vietnam, along with numerous delegates, guests, and friends from both countries.
Sharing the Mid-Autumn moment
Speaking at the program, Mr. Vuong Quan referred to the image of the moon shining on both banks of the Red River and quoted a poem by Zhang Jiuling: “Hai thuong sinh minh nguyet, Thien nhai cong thu thi” – the bright moon rises over the vast sea, the horizon shares this moment.
From the image of the moon, Mr. Vuong Quan spoke about the shared values of the Mid-Autumn Festival. In China, the festival is associated with wishes for reunion, harmony, and peace; in Vietnam, it is the “Festival of Watching the Moon”, linked with children carrying lanterns, family gatherings, and moon gazing.
Mr. Vuong Quan believes the program creates a space for artists from both countries to meet, exchange, and share cultural values through art. The fact that Yunnan Province has come to Vietnam for the third consecutive year to co-organize the program shows that this activity continues to be maintained as a cultural meeting point between the two countries.
Mr. Banh Ban stated that cooperation between Yunnan and Vietnamese localities is being promoted in various fields such as transportation, economy, tourism, education, youth, culture, and media, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
From the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Mr. Banh Ban emphasized the values of reunion, harmony, and the wish for a better life as common points in the cultures of the two countries, and expressed hope that the program will continue to expand media exchanges, cultural cooperation, sports, tourism, and youth between Vietnam and Yunnan.
Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa emphasised that Vietnam and China share many similarities and cultural exchanges; she also hopes that the “Vietnam - China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027” will open up more opportunities to build heritage tourism journeys, strengthen cultural connections, and foster people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
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| The dance piece “Moonlight” by artist Duong Le Binh. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Cultural encounters through Music, Fashion, and Tourism
On the stage of Ho Guom Theater, the program combined music, dance, and traditional arts of Vietnam and China, showcasing the diverse cultural colors of both countries.
The opening was a Mashup “Dem hoa hao nguyet vien”, followed by “Full Moon in the Soul of Children”, “Quoc an - Tam thu” by the Vietnam National Music and Dance Theater, and the dance piece “Moonlight” by artist Duong Le Binh. The Mid-Autumn performances evoked a childhood atmosphere; “Quoc an - Tam thu” emphasized the tradition of valuing education and respecting teachers; “Moonlight” explored the beauty of dance art.
The colors of Vietnam were introduced through performances by singer Do To Hoa with “Qua cau gio bay” and “Dong suoi nho chay siet”. The singer's journey of studying and researching folk songs in China also demonstrated the exchange between the music and cultures of the two countries.
The exchange continued with the ethnic music ensemble “To dong tham tinh” by artists from the Central Conservatory of Music of China and the New Vitality Ethnic Orchestra of Vietnam. The distinctive instruments of the two countries blended, creating a fusion while maintaining their unique characteristics.
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| Conductor Dong Quang Vinh performing at the program. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The piece “Canh chim bao tin vui” under the direction of conductor Dong Quang Vinh brought a lively atmosphere. The exchange of the younger generation was extended through a conversation with Hua Thi Thanh Hoa, a Vietnamese youth representative who participated in the “Red Research Journey” - “Following Uncle Ho's Footsteps” in Yunnan.
The ethnic dance and music ensemble “Beautiful Yunnan” introduced the unique features of nature, culture, and the lives of ethnic groups in Yunnan.
Another highlight was the presentation of Chinese - Vietnamese costumes “Non nuoc hop van - Xiem y chung nhiep”. The Chinese side introduced designs featuring blue and white porcelain motifs; Vietnam showcased the Kim Hoang Ao Dai Collection by Miss Vietnam 2010, designer Dang Ngoc Han, inspired by the Kim Hoang folk paintings.
Images of the Northern Vietnamese countryside, such as chickens, pigs, and everyday life scenes, were depicted on the Ao Dai, combining folk art with traditional attire. The presentation also tied in with the “Vietnam - China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027”, introducing heritage as a space for exchange and exploration between the peoples of the two countries.
From the Complex of Hue Monuments, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago, Hoi An Ancient Town, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex of Vietnam to the heritages of China, the destinations were introduced through stories of history, culture, nature, and people.
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| Cultural exchange space on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The program concluded with the performances “Vietnam - China” and “Love Like a River”, featuring artists from both countries. The image of Vietnamese and Chinese children along with child singer Ngo Tue Man on stage created a close-knit ending for the art night.
The moon was a recurring theme throughout the program, from childhood, music, dance to fashion and children's singing, creating a cultural exchange space on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival, where the similarities and diversity of Vietnam - China culture were expressed through many generations of artists.
