Although they view the same moon, the cultures in Japan and Vietnam have distinct traditions regarding the moon-viewing festivities and the ways in which they are celebrated. In Japan, the culture of moon-viewing involves offering mooncakes and rice straws and quietly watching the moon; in Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival is called Tet Trung Thu and the entire city is enveloped in a festive atmosphere with colorful lanterns, mooncakes, and the dancing of children. Although these two cultures share the same love for the moon, the ways in which they are celebrated reflect the different lifestyles and cultures of each country. Through the moon-viewing cultures of Japan and Vietnam, we introduce the stories of the moon and the people that have been passed down through these two countries.
