1. Poem: Mid-Autumn Festival - Th. Tuấn
Mid-Autumn Festival
Author: Th. Tuấn
The Mid-Autumn night in the month of August shines bright with flags and flowers
The children joyfully sing and dance with glee
The drumbeat of the frog eagerly awaits Uncle Cuội's arrival
As the lion dance swings through the air to welcome the Moon Lady, Hằng Nga
The stars twinkle above, lighting up the village streets
A moonlit feast is shared beneath the radiant moon at every home
The youth, the future, shining brightly for the nation
Carrying forward the legacy of our ancestors' greatness.


2. Poem: The Moonless Mid-Autumn Festival - Nguyễn Tiến Đường
The Moonless Mid-Autumn Festival
Author: Nguyễn Tiến Đường
The electric lights shine brightly over the village square,
The sound of the frog drum echoes as the star lanterns glimmer.
On this Mid-Autumn night, the children gather in cheer,
Welcoming Lady Hằng and Uncle Cuội as they soar into the moon palace.
But this year, floodwaters are rising high,
We hope the rain stops soon so Lady Hằng can come to play.
The full moon night is all prepared,
But tonight, the fifteenth of the month, the rain still falls.
The Jade Emperor is still resting from his midday nap,
Even the South Star and North Star have forgotten to wake.
The court enjoys a quiet chat,
As Thunder God continues to disturb the mortal world.


3. Poem: The Moon at the Mountain Peak - Trịnh Thanh Hằng
The Moon at the Mountain Peak
Poem: Trịnh Thanh Hằng
Bamboo, rattan, and ponds so deep,
Let's color the stars, dear, with yellow streaks.
Red, green, purple aligned so neat,
With a wire stretching across the lantern's treat.
Busy hands, stained and grim,
Hurry up, we must get the lanterns ready for the moonlit whim.
Mid-Autumn, I welcome Lady Hằng,
In the mountain’s cold, the water runs.
Through the bridge, skipping with glee,
Holding the lantern, racing against the sea.
My cracked feet dance in delight,
My mountain village, not like Hanoi’s bright light.
Here, no lions or cars that roar,
No Tễu with a round face at the door.
Only mountains and hills abound,
And floods that have worn childhood dreams down.
Bright eyes still waiting, eager to see,
The moon atop the peak, on this full moon night for me.
With lanterns in hand, we celebrate the night,
As Uncle Cuội visits to bring the moon’s light.
Tonight we gather for the lantern parade,
With pomelo lights and laughter we cascade.
Pink, soursop, pomelo, bananas, all bright gold,
We share mooncakes, a tale to be told.


4. Poem: I Want! - Nguyễn Đình Cường
I Want!
Poem: Nguyễn Đình Cường
Mom! The Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived,
I want to carry a lantern with pride,
Along with a few dear friends of mine,
In our village, where joy will shine!
But those far-off lanterns I see,
Mom, please don’t buy them for me!
I want some presents, too, I do,
But our home is too poor, it's true.
The poor haven’t had their debts erased,
So how can I dream, in this place?
Father can’t even carve the frame,
But a star-shaped lantern will do just the same!
Or perhaps a lantern shaped like a fish,
Mom, can you please grant my wish?
Let's gather with friends and make it bright,
Then we’ll break the mooncake and celebrate tonight.
What I express, my parents understand,
They wish for me with a hopeful hand,
That soon my suffering will end,
And happiness, in life, I’ll find again!


5. Poem: Mid-Autumn without Mother - Hoàng Như Phượng
Mid-Autumn without Mother
Poem: Hoàng Như Phượng
Without Mother, the Mid-Autumn feels so sad!
The feast is set... how I miss the days with Mother
Her gentle gaze, the soft touch of her hands
Warming my heart, gently smiling.
This Mid-Autumn, even though there are many people
The streets are full of laughter and voices
But Mother, I long for just one call
My beloved puppy... why does it ache inside?
This Mid-Autumn, only Cuội roams peacefully
Together with the old buffalo on the quiet road
It's just me... a sorrow that knows no age
Missing Mother by the moonlit feast.
This Mid-Autumn, does the Moon Fairy miss me too?
Watching over as I wait for Father to return and break the mooncake
Mother is gone... at the beginning of the year, Father offers a sacrifice
He comforts me to make me smile...
This Mid-Autumn, I miss you so much, Mother!
The drum beats echo in the silent night
I wish Mother was here tonight
So the Moon Fairy could smile more brightly every day.


6. Poem: Mid-Autumn Reminiscing the Flood-Prone Homeland - Hoàng Minh Tuấn
Mid-Autumn Reminiscing the Flood-Prone Homeland
Poem: Hoàng Minh Tuấn
You work hard studying day and night
I wish you success in your studies, my dear!
Once covered in mud and dirt,
Arriving at school amidst flooded rivers!
The school on the other side, the bridge is gone,
The rain hasn't stopped, and the floods return!
That Mid-Autumn, the sky above our hometown
Gathered and contributed gifts amidst the rain!
That's how it was, that's how it used to be,
But now, is it different from before?
Will the rain pour down again?
Rain, rain, and floods... will there still be Mid-Autumn?
You only realize the deep affection
For our impoverished homeland when you go back.
Have you gone to school yet?
Mid-Autumn, I wonder, will the rain return?


7. Poem: Mid-Autumn in My Village - Phan Thu Hà
Mid-Autumn in My Village
Poem: Phan Thu Hà
The Mid-Autumn night is filled with excitement
The sound of drums and lion dances echo
The children gather around
Together they set up the feast.
From the week before,
The neighborhood leader calls out
Everyone in the village contributes
To create a joyous Mid-Autumn for the kids.
The location is the preschool
The older kids hang lanterns
The adults share gift bags
The little ones practice dancing and singing.
We hope the full moon
Will shine brightly in the sky tonight
And that all the children will gather
Without any distinction between rich and poor.
The children are close-knit
Like siblings from the same family
Everyone has a gift
And joyfully joins the procession.
The happiness the children experience
Comes from the hearts of the people
Little streams join to form rivers
And kindness binds humanity together.
The singing resonates far and wide
Laughter of the children fills the air
The Mid-Autumn moon shines brightly
Along with the joy of our little village.


8. Poem: Let’s Enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival - Đỗ Hương
Let’s Enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival
Poem: Đỗ Hương
This year, the Moon Fairy is just like every year
Preparing her mirror to reflect the full moon
Inviting autumn with the scent of green rice flakes
The children’s hearts leap with joy.
The heavens have granted a bounty this year
The earth below receives many gifts
The little ones eagerly eat mooncakes
And we offer a bountiful fruit tray.
The moon shines bright, no storms to be seen
The cool breeze flows, the banyan tree stands tall
The Moon Fairy, graceful, brings the offerings
And Cuội shares the joy of Mid-Autumn.
The sound of the drums echoes through the village
Mr. Tễu grins widely with a swollen belly
The Lion leaps, swift and nimble
The children scramble, tumbling around.
On the left, the waves rise higher
The Dragon, with its golden belly, sways
Its bright eyes sparkle and flash
The tongue flickers out, an intimidating sight.
The children cheer louder than the thunder
Some of the braver ones stand taller than the rest
Mr. Tễu lowers himself to let them rub his belly
The Lion tucks its tail for them to pat.
From above, laughter fills the air
The heavens delight, casting golden rays
The moon grows brighter as the night deepens
Illuminating the gifts and treats we share.
The Dragon tries to charm the children
Fearing the tiny ones might be disappointed
It fluffs its hair and droops its ears
Letting the children grab at its mane.
Cuội has long abandoned the banyan tree
And now sings on stage all night long
The Moon Fairy, dazzling in her white dress
Calls to someone with a voice full of love.
Let’s break the mooncakes, come gather round
Lotus seed mooncakes, coconut sweets here
Soft rice cakes, I’ll share with you all
The children who weren’t as lucky, don’t worry.
The lanterns are green and red, hand-painted
The pinwheels, Monkey King, and the Eight Immortals
What would you like, my dear, I’ll give it to you
Or perhaps a rabbit with a birthday song?
Pomelos, apples, and guavas soaked in syrup
The children eat and sing with all their might
Mid-Autumn is so fun, the best night ever
The moon shines brightly over the courtyard.
(This year, there will surely be no storms
Let’s celebrate, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival!)


9. Poem: Mid-Autumn Festival - Lê Thu
Mid-Autumn Festival
Poem: Lê Thu
Now, there are many toys during Mid-Autumn
Guns, cars, robots, all beautifully made
But I reminisce about the old days of childhood
With Star-shaped lanterns and frog drums everywhere.
A sleek black luxury car
Parked suddenly across from the shop
A chubby boy walks with his mother
Excitedly picking toys, singing in joy.
The street vendor stands alone, disappointed
The small, skinny child still by his mother
Holding a banana in hand
Gazing dreamily at the toys in the store.
A charity ride delivers Mid-Autumn gifts
Toys, mooncakes, and spinning tops
A home of kindness gives to the children
To those less fortunate, celebrating the festival.


10. Poem: Mid-Autumn Festival - Nguyễn Quốc Hưng
Mid-Autumn Festival
Poem: Nguyễn Quốc Hưng
Mid-Autumn Festival, a holiday for children
How many little ones are loved by their mothers
But for me, there's no paradise
My poor life only finds solace at the street corner, begging.
Raising my small hand, I lower my gaze
Hoping for a few coins from passersby
Many people walk by, again and again
Does anyone think of me as a child in need?


11. Poem: Two Children - Nguyễn Lan Hương
Two Children
Poem: Nguyễn Lan Hương
The full moon night so bright
Lighting up the entire sky
On a lively street corner
I see two children.
One child asks her mother
To buy clothes and toys
The other dreams of faraway things
To gather stars for a festival.
One child is sulking
Complaining the food isn't tasty
The other swallows a small piece of cake
Dreaming of a tray of five fruits.
The full moon shines in a strange way
Dividing its light equally between both sides
One child rejoices in joy
In a splendid room.
The other child, poor and trembling
Finds shelter by the porch
In a dream of blissful sleep
She dreams of being with her mother.
The autumn breeze softly lulls
Two young hearts
The two children in their dreams
Journey together to a fairy tale world.


12. Poem: Remembering the Old Mid-Autumn Festival - Phạm Thái
Remembering the Old Mid-Autumn Festival
Author: Phạm Thái
Let me return to my childhood days
To relive the naive, innocent years gone by
Oh, how I miss those times so much
When I didn't understand the meaning of Mid-Autumn Festival.
The star-shaped lanterns they carried, they danced
The lion's head they wore, I followed behind
In a time of poverty and hardship
Where music and joy were not as abundant as today.
Children had a tin can
With fake chopsticks tapping away
The rice drum was constantly beaten
The lion’s tail swayed to the rhythm of the beat.
And yet, the atmosphere was full of excitement
The children joyfully celebrated the festival
How strange was the spinning top lantern
Once lit, it would spin wildly leading the parade.
Today's modern world may have changed much
But it’s hard to find the old traditions anywhere
The spinning top has long been replaced by smoke
Now, it’s all Chinese-made lanterns with batteries in every home.
Why have we lost these traditions?
Only the memories remain, etched deeply in our minds
This Mid-Autumn Festival is no different from before
But I still remember... a Mid-Autumn from the past!


13. Poem: Welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival - Nguyễn Tiến Đường
Welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival
Poem: Nguyễn Tiến Đường
Welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival, it's so beautiful this year.
The full moon shines brightly over the distant sea.
Waves crash gently, caressing the sandy shore.
The surface of the sea sparkles to the farthest sky.
The fishing village calls out as boats return, pulling in their nets.
The village fields are golden, with rice drying in the sun.
Sailing with the favorable winds, the boats glide over the waves.
Under the hot sun and the chilly breeze, everyone works hard.
Mid-Autumn fills my village with joy.
Excited, the children’s faces shine with delight.
All around the village, the festivities spread.
Lanterns glow, shimmering like stars in the sky.
Today, life has changed so much.
The rooftops are neat and red everywhere.
Electric lights brighten the rural streets, making their way to the city.
The sound of songs fills the air, with smiles so sweet.


14. Poem: A Sad Mid-Autumn - Đình Từ
A Sad Mid-Autumn
Author: Đình Từ
The rain has been falling steadily since morning
The watermelon sale is slow, and even the oranges won't sell
I look to the east, the sky is overcast
The dark clouds loom, and a storm is approaching
The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here
I feel sorry for the children, busy with their drills
Banners, slogans, drums, and trumpets
The flags, hats, and lanterns are ready
Everyone, young and old, is eagerly waiting
But rain, please stop, let the children's hearts be joyful
The camp has everything ready
The children will be able to play all day
But looking at the thick clouds, it's hard to tell
The rain doesn’t stop, tears fall, and my heart is heavy
What can be done now? We must wait for the rain to cease, but who knows when?


15. Poem: The Mid-Autumn Then and Now - Phạm Văn Nhàn
The Mid-Autumn Then and Now
Author: Phạm Văn Nhàn
In the past, we had rice cakes, crispy crackers
Accompanied by older siblings, waiting for the moon at Mid-Autumn,
The farmers treasured the Mid-Autumn moon
As they looked to the eighth month, marking the harvest season,
But now, the adults have taken over
Handling tasks meant for the children, all over the countryside,
The whole neighborhood is busy, preparing everything,
Getting ready for the feast, welcoming the joyful autumn.
This year, the weather hasn’t been kind
The festivities are lackluster, and the joy has faded,
No lion dance, no camping today,
The children are eager, hoping to enjoy the moonlit night,
The Mid-Autumn Festival is the best time of the year,
Just like raising silkworms in the old days,
Teaching children, undeterred by rain or shine,
Adults still strive to please their little ones,
Waiting eagerly, worn out by the wait,
The heavens make it difficult, and the children’s hearts are heavy,
When they hear the croaking of frogs,
It’s a reminder that things aren’t as joyous as expected.


16. Poem: The Mid-Autumn Night - Võ Hữu Nghĩa
The Mid-Autumn Night
Author: Võ Hữu Nghĩa
The Mid-Autumn Festival, the eighth month, with the full moon,
Chang'e and the Man in the Moon far away, watching over us.
Children play and make wishes,
Everything beautiful... the full moon... the sound of the lion drum.
Joy fills the night, watching the Man in the Moon and Chang'e,
Gathering together to enjoy the moon.
Stars shine bright, lighting up the celebration,
The full moon night, with gifts... ancient and sweet... delightful... warm...
Clack...clack...clack, the sound echoes...
Echoes...clack...clack...clack...echoes.


17. Poem: Remembering the Mid-Autumn Festival - Bát Hoàng
Remembering the Mid-Autumn Festival
Author: Bát Hoàng
Long ago… those days now seem so far away.
My hometown, vast fields and hills, all interconnected.
Each house separated by a row of betel-nut trees,
The moon rises wide, casting its glow over the clear night.
Round and full, against the backdrop of the blue sky,
I look up to see Uncle Cuội swinging from the banyan tree.
In the countryside, it was so easy to recognize,
On a moonlit night, it must be the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Now in the city, the streets are dark and unclear,
Every night, lanterns fill the streets.
Tall buildings block the sky and the clouds,
At night, it feels like daytime, my friend.
The Mid-Autumn Festival has long passed,
Today, when I glance at the calendar, I feel sadness.
The world has forgotten this joy,
No longer the lively streets like before.
Sorrow fills the air, the rain falls,
The peaceful festival of the past is gone.
The drum beats clack, clack...
The sound of rice cake drums echo loudly in the square... lion dances.
No longer do we see the traditional dresses,
As I, wearing my turban, stand and look around.
Your sweet citron-scented hair,
The moon, like a bamboo basket, hangs from the curved bamboo branch.
Far from home, my heart is heavy like a pomelo,
Yearning for the day I can return.


18. Poem: Mid-Autumn Festival Remembering Uncle Ho
Mid-Autumn Festival Remembering Uncle Ho
Collected
The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here,
But the rain and wind keep getting worse.
Grandparents, parents rush to prepare,
Children are all ready in their clothes and scarves.
Hoping the rain and wind don't spoil things,
Waiting for the team to come and celebrate together.
How I wish Uncle Ho were here today,
Surely the full moon would shine so joyously.


19. Poem: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival - Minh Tâm
Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival
Author: Minh Tâm
The bright full moon shines brightly,
Peaceful homeland, tranquility everywhere.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is here,
Children from both regions are joyously celebrating.
The moonlight shines like a mirror,
Sister Hang and Uncle Cuoi look on affectionately.
The light illuminates the village square,
While the children play and have fun.
Lanterns and drums can be heard everywhere,
The sound of the drum rings on, never fading.
Tonight, we carry star-shaped lanterns,
The tables are full of fruits, welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Sister Hang and Uncle Cuoi join in,
Watching the children joyously celebrate the festival.
The bright lanterns shine with excitement,
As they sing and play, circling the village in celebration.
The full moon shines brightly everywhere,
Children embrace the festival with joy and fulfillment.
The sky is clear and bright,
Finally, the long-awaited days have arrived.


20. Poem: Joyful Mid-Autumn - Nguyễn Vũ
Joyful Mid-Autumn
Author: Nguyễn Vũ
This year's Mid-Autumn is filled with cheer,
The moon's beauty, gold spreading through the village.
Children gleefully run about,
Drums beat as the procession goes around the village.
Star-shaped lanterns in red, green, and gold,
Koi lanterns march in rows, quickly passing by.
The cool autumn breeze and the bright moon,
The village looks like a painting, full of color.
Look! The lion dances with grace,
Bowing to the audience, front and back with skill.
The drumbeats echo loudly and joyously,
The local festival is alive with excitement.
The music and dances fill the air,
The whole village gathers to celebrate Mid-Autumn.
Remembering the festival of the past with nostalgia,
The shadow of the pandemic dims the joy.
This year, Mid-Autumn has arrived,
Everyone is cheerful and filled with delight.
Smiles are on everyone's faces,
It is a time of reunion, and the whole community is in high spirits.


