Experience a Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in Duong Lam Ancient Village

The Mid-Autumn Festival — a celebration of the full moon, lantern parades, mooncakes, and joyful family reunions — becomes even more special when held in the ancient, nostalgic atmosphere of Duong Lam Ancient Village. As you step through the old village gate, you’ll hear the rhythmic beats of lion dance drums, enjoy the sweet aroma of baked and sticky mooncakes, and relive a Mid-Autumn Festival rich in Vietnamese tradition.If you’re seeking a journey that brings back childhood memories and touches the essence of Vietnamese culture, a Mid-Autumn trip to Duong Lam Ancient Village is the perfect choice — explore it with Vietjet!

1. Introduction to the Mid-Autumn Festival in Duong Lam Ancient Village

Many first-time visitors often ask, “Where is Duong Lam Ancient Village?” Located in Son Tay Town, about 50 km from downtown Hanoi, Duong Lam is known as the “laterite village”, as its walls, wells, and village gates are built entirely from the region’s signature red laterite stone. It is one of the few ancient Vietnamese villages that still preserves its original architecture and traditional lifestyle.

While many places now celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in a modern style, Duong Lam’s festival remains simple and traditional, held annually under the name “Mid-Autumn in the Ancient Village.” Gigantic handmade lantern models are displayed and paraded at the village gate, star-shaped lanterns hang from ancient houses, the sound of lion dance drums echoes through the narrow alleys, and children joyfully walk with their lanterns under the moonlight — recreating nostalgic Mid-Autumn memories that many Hanoians long to relive.

Experience the Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in Duong Lam Ancient Village

The entire village evokes memories of an old-fashioned Mid-Autumn Festival — a beloved nostalgia for many Hanoians.

Beyond being a popular tourist destination, Duong Lam plays an important role in preserving Vietnam’s traditional cultural values. Through folk festivals and ancient Mid-Autumn customs, the village has become a “living museum” where younger generations can witness and experience the authentic spirit of the Full Moon Festival.

See more: Hanoi Travel Tips – Exploring the 36 Ancient Streets

2. Experiencing the Mid-Autumn Festival in Duong Lam

Visiting Duong Lam during the Mid-Autumn season feels like stepping back in time. The ancient rural scenery, the moss-covered roofs, and the quiet, laterite alleyways bring the nostalgic charm of old Vietnam to life.

2.1 A Space Full of Tradition

Unlike the bustling city streets, Duong Lam’s Mid-Autumn atmosphere is peaceful and rustic. Under the moonlight, the ancient tiled roofs, brick-paved paths, and glowing laterite village gates are illuminated by colorful lanterns. This setting makes Duong Lam Ancient Village a perfect spot for check-in photos that capture the charm of a timeless Mid-Autumn night.

The Mid-Autumn decorations with vibrant lanterns give Duong Lam an entirely new, enchanting look.

2.2 Engaging Folk Activities

As the full moon rises, the village comes alive with a blend of familiar and festive activities. Groups of children and visitors holding star-shaped lanterns parade through the laterite alleys to the rhythm of lion dance drums.

The atmosphere becomes even livelier when the villagers gather to play traditional games such as tug of war, blindfolded drumming, and the moonlit feast, filling the air with laughter and joy that connect generations.

In a cozy corner, visitors can even make traditional mooncakes by hand, following age-old family recipes. When the aroma of freshly baked cakes fills the air, it feels like a heartwarming return to childhood.

Making traditional mooncakes in Duong Lam is one of the most delightful experiences you shouldn’t miss.

2.3 Authentic Mid-Autumn Cuisine

No trip to Duong Lam during the Mid-Autumn Festival would be complete without sampling its local cuisine. Besides mooncakes, you can enjoy traditional treats such as peanut candy (kẹo lạc), che lam (sweet rice cake), Duong Lam soy sauce, and Mia chicken, a specialty of the Doai region. Sharing a traditional Mid-Autumn feast inside an ancient house will surely leave you with unforgettable memories.

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3. How to Get to Duong Lam Ancient Village Easily

From the center of Hanoi, you have many options to travel to Duong Lam Ancient Village:Traveling by motorbike/car: Follow Thang Long Avenue or National Highway 32, with a distance of about 50km, travel time from 1 - 1.5 hours.Traveling by bus: Routes 70A, 71, 77 depart from My Dinh Bus Station to Son Tay, then you can take a motorbike taxi or taxi to the village.Choosing a tour: Many travel companies organize tours combining Duong Lam Ancient Village with nearby destinations such as Son Tay Ancient Citadel, Mia Pagoda, Va Temple… which are very convenient and time-saving.

If you are in other provinces or cities, go to Hanoi first and then continue your journey to Duong Lam. Among them, the plane is the fastest and most convenient option. Currently, Vietjet operates many direct flights from major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Can Tho… to Hanoi. In particular, airfares to Hanoi start from 60,000 VND, and you also have the opportunity to hunt 0 VND tickets during the golden hours 12h - 14h every day. This is a great way to both save costs and easily plan your Mid-Autumn trip to Duong Lam Ancient Village.

Choose Vietjet for a complete and meaningful Mid-Autumn journey to the ancient village!

See more: Enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival - Warm Vietjet Love “Lantern Parade, Mooncake Party at an altitude of 10,000 meters”

4. Mid-Autumn Festival Travel Tips for Duong Lam Ancient Village

To have an ideal and memorable trip, keep in mind one of the following experiences:

Ideal time: Early evening of the full moon night, when the moon rises high and the festival is most exciting.
Outfit: It is recommended to choose ao dai, yem, or traditional costumes to have cultural check-in photos at Duong Lam Ancient Village.
Preparation: Bring a backup charger, camera, or large-capacity phone to record memorable moments.
Polite behavior: Keep the environment clean, do not litter, and respect the living space of local people.

A complete Mid-Autumn Festival is not only in the full moonlight or the plentiful feast but also in the feeling of reliving childhood memories. And nowhere brings that experience more clearly than Duong Lam Ancient Village - the place that preserves the soul of the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival. If you are looking for a destination to both have fun and learn about culture, then visit here once to see that the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a holiday but also a journey back to the roots.

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