Mid-Autumn Of Old, On The Hillside – A Journey That Illuminates Memory

Monday - 06/10/2025 10:41

In Con Dao, where nature and history intertwine, there is a peaceful little corner known as Lung Doi Hillside Café. More than a place to enjoy a fragrant cup of coffee, it serves as a cultural gathering point — a space where stories of memory and heritage continue to unfold. This Mid-Autumn Festival, Lung Doi has chosen a beautifully nostalgic way to tell its story: bringing a traditional Vietnamese lantern back to the island.

For generations, the Mid-Autumn Festival has lived in the childhood memories of Vietnamese families. Under the bright full moon, children once paraded with colorful lanterns, their laughter casting a warm glow across village courtyards and city streets. Yet with time, many traditional lanterns have faded from everyday life, and the craft of making heritage lanterns now survives only through a handful of artisans.

The Bach Ngu Lantern — the legendary carp leaping over the Dragon Gate — is more than a festive decoration; it is a metaphor for perseverance and the pursuit of greatness. According to Vietnamese folklore, the carp that conquers the raging currents and leaps the waterfall transforms into a dragon — a symbol of endurance, resilience, and triumphant success.

Reconstructed in 2022 by Khoi Dang Tac Khi, this lantern represents one of the rare efforts to revive a disappearing Mid-Autumn heritage. Its presence at Lung Doi today is a gentle reminder of cultural values long cherished, and a quiet celebration of memory brought back to life on this distant island.

A Mid-Autumn Celebration That Rekindles Childhood Joy

Lung Doi Hillside Café goes beyond showcasing heritage; it creates experiences that allow the community and visitors to truly live a traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.
On October 4, 2025, the café will host a family-friendly program where children, accompanied by adults, will receive lanterns, mooncakes, drinks, and enjoy playful moments with a balloon artist.
These small gifts are more than treats — they are a bridge connecting young generations to fragments of culture lovingly preserved.

Image: The cozy space of Lung Doi Café adorned with traditional Mid-Autumn lanterns

Lung Doi’s Mid-Autumn is not meant to be loud or extravagant. Instead, it gently awakens memories: the glow of a cellophane lantern shimmering under the full moon, the simple joy of gathering with family, the soft hush of a night filled with nostalgia. Through its thoughtful curation of cultural heritage, Lung Doi hopes each visitor will feel the heartbeat of an old-season Mid-Autumn — one that is whole, warm, and deeply meaningful.

Amid the rhythm of modern life, Lung Doi Hillside Café chooses to become a bridge — a place where heritage meets memory, and where traditional values are brought to life once more.
Mid-Autumn at Lung Doi is not only a time when children receive meaningful gifts, but also an opportunity for visitors and families to enjoy a unique cultural space, admire traditional Vietnamese lanterns, and preserve cherished moments under the harvest moon.

Lung Doi Hillside Café warmly invites you and your loved ones to return to the Mid-Autumn of old — to once again illuminate timeless traditions on the island of Con Dao.