Mid-Autumn Festival 2025: Igniting beautiful dreams
WVR - The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a celebration for children but also an occasion for adults to reflect and understand that educational reform begins with igniting the pure dreams of our children.
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| The Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of belief and a journey of sowing dreams. (Photo: Phuong Anh) |
Every autumn, children across the country eagerly carry lanterns, enjoy mooncakes, and send their innocent wishes to the full moon. The Mid-Autumn Festival is not just for children; it's also a time for adults to pause, look into the clear eyes of children, and find faith in tomorrow.
The star-shaped lanterns, carp lanterns, and revolving lanterns, with their vibrant colors, not only light up the night but also symbolize the dreams and aspirations of every child. In this innocent world, children dream of becoming teachers, doctors, engineers, or simply wish for their parents' good health. Under the moonlight, these small dreams are sown, and if nurtured, they can become a lasting source of energy, guiding them on their journey of learning, growing, and contributing.
Each child's dream is a good seed. But a seed only sprouts when sown in fertile soil, nourished with love, education, and trust. Today's rapidly changing society, with technological advancements and a market economy, demands that we preserve and nurture the inner world of children, so they retain their innocence, honesty, and compassion.
The Education sector carries this special mission, not only imparting knowledge but also nurturing the soul. As General Secretary To Lam emphasized during the 80th anniversary of the Education sector and the opening of the 2025-2026 school year: Comprehensive reform of general education. Not only imparting knowledge but also nurturing character – physical training – soul enrichment, awakening civic spirit, discipline, and social responsibility; forming a generation that is "both talented and compassionate, both resilient".
This is not only the goal of education but also the aspiration of the entire nation. And this journey perhaps begins with seemingly simple acts like igniting a child's dream.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a joy for children but also a time for adults to reflect. The full moon symbolizes reunion, completeness, reminding each of us of the responsibility to create an environment where children can grow comprehensively in knowledge, character, and dreams.
In some rural areas, children have yet to experience a true Mid-Autumn night; schools in remote areas still lack electricity. Yet, in these places, one can easily witness touching moments like teachers making mooncakes and lanterns by hand, sharing small joys with students. The light from candles in star-shaped lanterns in mountainous or remote island areas may not be as bright as in urban areas, but it is extraordinarily warm.
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival is very different, as the central and northern provinces have just suffered losses from Typhoon No. 10 and are still affected by Typhoon No. 11. Many houses have been swept away, many children cannot attend school, and have no books. Many children will not have a complete Mid-Autumn Festival. Today, students in Hanoi are off school, switching to online learning...
Some say, “This year, the moon may be obscured, but the light of love has never dimmed.” Indeed, during the stormy Mid-Autumn season, many children will not have mooncakes, star lanterns, or the chance to carry lanterns under the moon, but surely the faith and dreams of children still exist.
Strong educational reform can begin with igniting children's dreams. Because all genuine reform must start with people. An innovative education system is not only about curriculum, textbooks, or teaching methods, but about education that listens, inspires, and nurtures students' dreams. When each child learns to understand themselves, dares to dream, and is encouraged to pursue those dreams, then education truly reforms from the roots.
Children can learn faster and understand more deeply when they learn with joy, feeling respected and understood. A lesson can start with a small story about a Mid-Autumn lantern or a tale of children in storm-hit areas losing houses and books but carrying messages of friendship, sharing, and responsibility. That is when education touches the heart, not just imparts knowledge.
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| Teachers and students making mooncakes. (Photo: Nguyen Trang) |
Looking at today's generation of students, we can easily see they are intelligent, confident, and dynamic. Every teacher, parent, and educational policy can contribute to igniting their dreams. A timely encouragement, an inspiring lesson, or a curriculum that allows students to showcase their abilities can all become the moonlight guiding them.
Thus, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not just a children's festival but a celebration of belief and a journey of sowing dreams. From the innocent dreams under today's Mid-Autumn moon, there will be engineers, doctors, and teachers spreading knowledge in remote areas... Because every great dream begins with small aspirations.
The responsibility of the Education sector and society as a whole is to ensure these dreams do not fade. This is why General Secretary To Lam's words resonate with so many: “We must build a generation that is both talented and compassionate, both resilient”.
These three qualities – intelligence, compassion, and determination – illuminate the journey of educational reform. Talented to integrate and develop, compassionate to share and preserve national identity, resilient to withstand the upheavals of the times. And it all begins with a small, simple dream under the full moon of every child.
In the Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 letter to Vietnamese teenagers and children, President Luong Cuong wrote: “The Mid-Autumn Festival has long become an indispensable beauty in the cultural life of Vietnamese people. It is an occasion for children to have fun, gather, and reunite with family and friends. However, I know that this year, many localities in our country are struggling against prolonged storms and heavy rains, causing significant damage to people and property, severely affecting the lives, activities, and studies of children. I extend my deepest sympathies and greetings to the children and families affected by natural disasters.
I believe that with the care and attention of the Party, State, and the spirit of solidarity, love, and support of the entire nation, you and your families will overcome difficulties, soon stabilize your lives, continue to study, play, and nurture your dreams”.
Perhaps for each of us, the moon is no longer a distant thing but a close reminder: Listen to the dreams of children, and help them make those dreams come true. So that each year, when the moon is full, we not only see joy but also see the future of the country shining in the smiles of the children. As President Luong Cuong emphasized: “I hope the less fortunate children, those in flood-hit areas, will always strive, not retreat in the face of difficulties; keep your innocent, pure smiles, ignite beautiful dreams, so that after the storm, life is again filled with light and joy!”.
