THUA THIEN - HUE (VNS) — Twenty days ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, an event that children are eagerly awaiting for in Viet Nam, craft shops and facilities in central Hue City are busy manufacturing unicorn heads, costumes and drums.

As a tradition, children celebrate the festival by gathering in groups and visiting neighbours to perform the unicorn dance. Nearly all children aged three to 15 years join in the dance, and this creates a huge demand for unicorn items. Viet Nam News' Phuoc Buu visits facilities and shops that are making and selling the items.

Painting the unicorn white after shaping it on concrete moulds. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Putting the unicorns out to dry under the sun in preparation for the next step. —VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Repainting the unicorns in various colours.— VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Beards, ears and tongues are added to the heads. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Children try on unicorn heads, costumes and drums. — VNS Photo Phuoc Buu

Parents shop around Hue for possible gifts to their children, including a complete set consisting of unicorn heads, costumes and a drum costing between VND150,000 (US$7) to 750,000 ($35). VNS Photo Phuoc Buu