Mid-Autumn Festival 2026: Dates, Holidays & Where to Celebrate
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-23
The Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu in Vietnamese, Zhōngqiū Jié in Mandarin) lands on 25 September 2026. It is the second-biggest traditional holiday in Vietnam and a public holiday across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia. For Indian backpackers, it is one of the cheapest, most atmospheric windows of the year to be in Hội An, Hanoi, or Hà Nội’s Old Quarter. For related planning, see our guides on Sea Backpacking Hub and Visiting Vietnam in June Weather Crowds Prices What to Expect.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| When is Mid-Autumn Festival 2026? | 25 September 2026 (Friday) | ₹0 |
| Is it a public holiday in Vietnam? | Yes, one day off nationwide | ₹0 |
| Where is it best celebrated? | Hội An (Vietnam), Yu Garden Shanghai, Taipei | ₹0 |
| Do I need to book ahead? | Yes, hostels in Hội An fill 4-6 weeks out | ₹0 |
| Are mooncakes vegetarian? | Most traditional ones are not (lotus seed paste + lard); ask for mixed or vegetarian | ₹100-300 (~30000-90000 VND) |
What Is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Why Does the Date Move?
The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which is why it falls on a different Gregorian date every year. In 2026, the 8th lunar month starts on 10 September, so the 15th day lands on 25 September (a Friday).
The tradition goes back over 1,000 years. Children carry star-and-moon lanterns at night, families eat mooncakes (bánh nướng / bánh dẻo in Vietnam), and the round moon on the full night symbolises reunion. In Vietnam, the festival is also called the Children’s Festival because lion-dance troupes go street-to-street and kids are given lanterns, toys, and mooncakes by neighbours.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The exact 2026 date matters because the Vietnamese government gives Friday 25 September off and often bridges the weekend into a 3-day holiday. If you fly into Hanoi on 24 September, you’ll see half the city already leaving for the beach.
Public Holidays by Country (2026)
| Country | Public Holiday? | Date | Extra Days Off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | Yes (Tết Trung Thu) | 25 September (Fri) | Often bridged with 26-27 Sep weekend |
| China (Mainland) | Yes (中秋节) | 25 September (Fri) | Bridged to 27 Sep (Sun) |
| Hong Kong | Yes | 25 September (Fri) | Day after (Sat) is not an official holiday |
| Taiwan | Yes | 25 September (Fri) | Bridged to 27 Sep (Sun) |
| Malaysia | Yes in some states (Mooncake Festival) | 25 September (Fri) | Depends on state government |
| Singapore | Yes | 25 September (Fri) | Single day only |
| India | No, not an official holiday | n/a | n/a |
Why October Isn’t the Same Answer Every Year
A common Indian traveller question: “Why is the Mid-Autumn Festival in October this year?” The honest answer is, it depends on the year. The lunar calendar drifts against the Gregorian calendar by roughly 11 days each year, and a leap-month is sometimes inserted to keep festivals in their seasons. That is why you see the festival fall on:
- 17 September 2024 (Tuesday)
- 6 October 2025 (Monday)
- 25 September 2026 (Friday)
- 15 September 2027 (Wednesday)
If you are reading this in 2026, mark 25 September and ignore 2024 or 2025 searches.
Where to Celebrate in Southeast Asia (2026)
Hội An, Vietnam, the Strongest Pick for Indian Travellers
Hội An’s ancient town on the central Vietnamese coast goes all in. The night of 25 September sees the Hoài River filled with floating lanterns, every house hangs red silk lanterns outside, and the Japanese Bridge is lit up with reflection photographs you’ll see in every Vietnam guidebook for the next decade.
Cheap flights from Chennai or Bengaluru to Da Nang, then a 45-minute taxi to Hội An. Hostels fill fast. Book dorm beds by early September or you’ll be paying 1.5x.
Safety Alert: Hội An floods badly in October-November if a typhoon hits the South China Sea. For 2026, the 25 September date is before peak typhoon season, so you should be fine, but check Vietnam’s National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting two weeks before departure.
Hanoi. Old Quarter Lion Dances
Hà Nội’s Old Quarter around Hàng Mã street goes fully lantern-decorated from mid-September. Lion dance troupes perform for free on the street, the kids swarm, and mooncakes appear at every bakery (try the bánh nướng mixed-nut version from any Bảo Phương chain location). Easy to pair with a monsoon-season backpacker run through Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City. Phố Bến Thành Night Market
Saigon is warmer, less atmospheric than Hội An but has a heavier food scene. District 1’s Phố Bến Thành night market runs a mooncake street through the entire week leading up to the festival. Good backup if you’ve already done central Vietnam.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thean Hou Temple
The KL Chinese community puts on a strong showing at the six-tiered Thean Hou Temple. Free entry, lantern displays, cultural performances. Worth a side trip if you’re in Peninsular Malaysia in late September.
Taipei, Taiwan
Yehliu, Jiufen, and the Shilin Night Market area all host lantern walks. More expensive to reach from India than Vietnam, but a proper visa-free destination for Indian passport holders (visa on arrival for stays under 14 days via the Taiwan Digital Arrival Card in 2026).
What It Costs to Be There (2026)
| Item | Vietnam (Hội An / Hanoi) | China / Taiwan | Malaysia (KL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed per night | ₹734-₹1,285 (~200,000-350,000 VND or ~$7.62-$13.34) | 800-1,500 TWD | ₹825-₹1,414 (~35-60 MYR or ~$8.56-$14.67) |
| Private double | ₹2,203-₹4,406 (~600,000-1,200,000 VND or ~$22.87-$45.74) | 2,500-5,000 TWD | ₹2,827-₹5,183 (~120-220 MYR or ~$29.35-$53.80) |
| Mooncake (1 piece) | ₹92-₹220 (~25,000-60,000 VND or ~$0.95-$2.29) | 80-180 TWD | ₹188-₹353 (~8-15 MYR or ~$1.96-$3.67) |
| Street-food meal | ₹129-₹220 (~35,000-60,000 VND or ~$1.33-$2.29) | 100-200 TWD | ₹141-₹283 (~6-12 MYR or ~$1.47-$2.93) |
| Lantern (paper, keepsake) | ₹55-₹110 (~15,000-30,000 VND or ~$0.57-$1.14) | 80-150 TWD | ₹118-₹236 (~5-10 MYR or ~$1.22-$2.45) |
| Beer (bia / lager) | ₹44-₹73 (~12,000-20,000 VND or ~$0.46-$0.76) | 80-120 TWD | ₹283-₹424 (~12-18 MYR or ~$2.93-$4.40) |
A budget backpacker can survive five days in Vietnam during Mid-Autumn Festival on roughly ₹1,836-₹2,938 (~500,000-800,000 VND or ~$19.06-$30.49) a day for dorms, street food, beer, and transport. The festival barely moves prices outside the lantern-tourist core of Hội An Old Town.
Getting a Visa (Indian Passport Holders, 2026)
| Country | Visa Requirement for Indians | Typical Cost | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | e-visa, 30 days single entry | ~₹2,408 (~25 USD) | 3 working days |
| China | Visa required | ~₹3,854 (~40 USD) | 4-7 working days |
| Hong Kong | Pre-arrival registration online | Free | Same day |
| Taiwan | Visa-free for tourism up to 14 days | Free | n/a |
| Malaysia | eVISA / eNTRI / visa-free transit | ₹0-₹2,408 (~0-25 USD) | Same day to 3 days |
| Singapore | visa-free transit, or e-visa | Free | n/a |
Apply for the Vietnam e-visa at least three weeks before 25 September. The portal overloads in the week leading up to Tết holidays.
Getting Around
In Vietnam
- Hanoi to Hội An: sleeper bus, 14-16 hours, ₹918-₹1,469 (~250,000-400,000 VND or ~$9.53-$15.25). Book on 12go: Hanoi → Hội An
- Ho Chi Minh City to Hội An: sleeper bus, 18 hours, or fly to Da Nang (₹2,000-₹4,000 (~$20.76-$41.52) one way) and transfer by Grab.
- Hanoi to HCMC: fly for ~₹2,500-₹5,000 (~$25.95-$51.90) with VietJet or Vietnam Airlines promo, or the 30-hour train.
In Taiwan
- Taipei → Hsinchu → Taichung: HSR (high-speed rail) takes 1-1.5 hours, 750-1,200 TWD. Book 7+ days early for the Mid-Autumn weekend.
See lantern festival tours on GetYourGuide
What to Pack
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Light rain jacket | Late September is still monsoon shoulder in central Vietnam; expect 1-2 hours of evening rain |
| Power bank | Lantern nights + photos on the river eats battery |
| Slip-on sandals | Hội An Old Town floods the laneways with lanterns, you’ll want to take shoes off in homestays |
| Cash in small VND | Many lantern stalls and street mooncake sellers do not take cards |
| Sarong / scarf | For temple visits in Taipei, KL, or Hanoi pagodas |
Season Costs Comparison
| Item | Peak (Tết Festival Week) | Shoulder (Sep-Oct Non-Festival) | Low (Nov-May) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight India → Hanoi (round trip) | ₹22,000-₹32,000 (~$228.36-$332.16) | ₹18,000-₹24,000 (~$186.84-$249.12) | ₹14,000-₹20,000 (~$145.32-$207.60) |
| Dorm Bed (Hanoi Old Quarter) | ₹1,285-₹1,836 (~350,000-500,000 VND or ~$13.34-$19.06) | ₹918-₹1,469 (~250,000-400,000 VND or ~$9.53-$15.25) | ₹551-₹1,102 (~150,000-300,000 VND or ~$5.72-$11.43) |
| Hội An Old Town private double | ₹5,508-₹11,016 (~1,500,000-3,000,000 VND or ~$57.17-$114.35) | ₹2,938-₹5,508 (~800,000-1,500,000 VND or ~$30.49-$57.17) | ₹2,203-₹4,406 (~600,000-1,200,000 VND or ~$22.87-$45.74) |
| Street-food meal | ₹184-₹294 (~50,000-80,000 VND or ~$1.91-$3.05) | ₹129-₹220 (~35,000-60,000 VND or ~$1.33-$2.29) | ₹92-₹184 (~25,000-50,000 VND or ~$0.95-$1.91) |
| Tết / Lantern tour (half day) | ₹2,203-₹4,406 (~600,000-1,200,000 VND or ~$22.87-$45.74) | ₹1,469-₹2,938 (~400,000-800,000 VND or ~$15.25-$30.49) | ₹1,102-₹2,203 (~300,000-600,000 VND or ~$11.43-$22.87) |
Note on the timing: The festival week in late September is shoulder season, not true peak. The Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year, late January/February) is when prices genuinely spike. The festival week is the atmospheric peak but a price shoulder.
At the Festival: What Indian Veg Travellers Eat
Mooncakes are the headline item. For vegetarians, the safer choices are:
- Mixed-nut mooncakes (hỗn hợp), no egg yolk, no lard, just seeds, lotus, and bean. Widely available.
- Bánh dẻo chay, the soft-rice Vietnamese variant, often fully vegetarian at temples and pagodas.
- Fresh durian and pomelo stalls that pop up across Hội An Old Town for the festival week.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The street sellers do not speak much English. Point at the cake, ask “chay?” (Vietnamese for vegetarian), any “có chay” reply means safe.
Walk past the mooncake stalls and the same vendors sell bánh ít, bánh bèo, and vegetarian phở at the same evening festival markets. Indian food is harder to find in Hội An than in Hanoi. Eat veg at the festival, save your paneer craving for a dedicated Indian stop in Hà Nội.
Getting Connected
Stable data matters for the festival week: you’ll want to check lantern-event cancellations, weather radar (Hội An can flood fast in September), and Grab ride prices. Get Nomad eSIM covers Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia on a single regional plan that works the moment you land.
Safety
Festival-period Vietnam is safer than the rest of the year, mostly because police presence around lantern crowds triples. Pickpocketing around Hội An Old Town is the only consistent issue. Keep cash in a front pocket and bags zipped on the river boats after dark.
If you’re heading further into Southeast Asia after the festival, the broader September-October travel calendar for India-bound backpackers is on the monsoon travel guide for Indian backpackers. The festival week also overlaps with Boun Ok Phansa in Laos and post-monsoon season in Cambodia.
For the latest 2026 typhoon and flooding context, check your government’s travel advisory (Indian MEA: mea.gov.in) before flying. The 25 September date sits before the worst typhoon band, but the South China Sea is unpredictable in September.
FAQ
Is the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated in India? Not officially. Indian Chinese communities in Kolkata’s Chinatown (Tangra), Mumbai, and Delhi do host small lantern walks and mooncake pop-ups around September or October, but there is no public holiday and no nationwide celebration. For the real festival, you need to be in Vietnam, China, Taiwan, or Malaysia.
Is Mid-Autumn Festival the same as Tết Trung Thu? Yes. Tết Trung Thu is the Vietnamese name; they’re the same date and tradition, with Vietnam leaning into the children’s-festival / lantern angle and China leaning into the family-reunion / mooncake angle.
Why does it fall on different dates each year? The 15th day of the 8th lunar month shifts against the Gregorian calendar. 2026’s 25 September is roughly a week earlier than average because of where the leap-month fell this cycle.
Is 25 September 2026 a Friday or a weekend? Friday. Most Vietnamese employers bridge it with the weekend for a 3-day run, but only Friday is the official public holiday.
Will hostels sell out? In Hội An, yes. Dorm beds in the Old Town are gone by early September. Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Ho Chi Minh’s District 1 stay open longer. Bookings outside lantern central can wait until 7-10 days before.
Are children welcome at the lantern events? Most are family-friendly until midnight. The river lanterns in Hội An run until roughly 10 pm. After that, the streets get messy with beer, and it’s adult territory.
Do I need cash or will cards work? Cash in VND for everything inside the festival grounds. ATMs in Hoi An have a ₹184-₹367 (~50,000-100,000 VND or ~$1.91-$3.81) fee for Indian debit cards, so draw a large amount once at the airport.
