Ethnology museum hosts Mid-Autumn celebration

Hands-on fun: In addition to taking part in folk games and performances, children will learn how to make traditional toys at the museum. — VNS Photos Ancient games: Children play tug-of-war at the Museum of Ethnology.

This year's programme will include traditional games of both countries, as well as toys such as lanterns, kites and Chinese masks, and performances of lion and dragon dances and water puppetry, making this a great opportunity for children to explore the similarities and differences in the Vietnamese and Chinese cultures, according to the museum.

Visitors to the museum during the celebration will have the opportunity to compete and win prizes in Chinese games, dress in traditional costumes, and hear story tellers share legends of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The museum will also screen films about the cultures of Viet Nam and China and – new to the venue this year – will host a performances of boi singing, a traditional music of southern Viet Nam.

Visitors will also be able to experience the brewing and drinking of Pu'er tea from China's Yunnan Province, as well as participate in traditional cake-making classes. Representatives of the Naxi culture of southern China will also talk to visitors about the ancient hieroglyphs of the culture and the Mid-Autumn Festival of their homeland.

People who purchase tickets in advance for Monday will enjoy a compelling programme including a lion dance, animal circus, Chinese opera, lantern parade, and sampling of Vietnamese and Chinese mooncakes.

The celebration is being held with the co-operation of the Ethnic Museum of Yunnan, the Yunnan Opera Institute, and the Chinese Embassy in Viet Nam. Tickets are available at the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology for VND25,000 for adults, VND3,000 for children, and VND5,000 for students.

For this year's celebration, the museum will make an extra effort to serve disadvantaged children, and will present 100 gifts to kids from craft villages and vocational training centres. — VNS