How the Mid-autumn Festival is celebrated in different countries.
This year, the Mooncake, or Mid-autumn, Festival falls on 21 September. The festival is observed by ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese around the world. While some of the traditions are similar, there are also interesting regional variations to the festivities.
TAIWAN
In Taiwan, the festival is widely celebrated with outdoor barbecues. A fairly recent tradition, firing the barbecue has become a favourite way for friends and family to gather together and gaze at the moon. In Taipei, the barbecues are often held at riverside parks during the festival. One of the most popular venues is Dajia Riverside Park.
VIETNAM
The Mid-autumn Festival is also known as the Children’s Festival in Vietnam. It is viewed as a time for parents to demonstrate their appreciation for their children. Children receive gifts of toys and enjoy cakes, fruit and rice paste moulded in the shape of animals. They parade with lanterns in the form of five-pointed stars like the one on the national flag, or with masks representing animals or characters from movies, comic books and anime. A variety of literary and artistic activities are also held throughout the country during this period. Adding greater fanfare to the festival are lion dances and dragon boat races.
THE PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines, Filipino-Chinese celebrate not only with mooncakes and family get-togethers, but also by gambling. Pua tiong-chhiu — a dice game — is played for mooncake prizes. The game is said to have originated in China’s Fujian province, where most Filipino-Chinese hail from.
HONG KONG & MACAU
There are nighttime celebrations throughout Hong Kong and Macau during the festival, the most impressive of which is held in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park. The carnival atmosphere there is revved up by traditional stage shows, palm readings, game stalls, quizzes and more. There is also a fire dragon dance that takes place through the streets of Tai Hang — that requires more than 300 performers, and lots of firecrackers!
SINGAPORE
In Singapore, the streets of its Chinatown are decked out with pretty lights. Stage shows, pop-up food stalls and traditional activities like fortune telling, Chinese calligraphy and Chinese opera are held. Families celebrate by gorging on mooncakes — they go on sale about a month before the festival — and children take part in lantern processions. For 2021, AA Members get to enjoy special promotions on mooncakes, thanks to AA Singapore’s tie-up with the following F&B partners:
1. Ding Bakery
Premium Pandan Jade Lotus Double Yolk Mooncake, Signature White Lotus Double Yolk Mooncake, MSW Durian Premium Snowskin Mooncakes, and an Assortment of Premium Snowskin Mooncakes
2. Kele
Double Yolk White Lotus Mooncake, White Lotus with Melon Seeds Mooncake, The Durian (MSW Durian Snowskin Mooncake), The Booze (Alcohol-infused Snowskin Mooncake – Lychee Martini, Passionfruit Cognac, Yuzu Champagne, Raspberry Whisky), and The Tropical (infused with the zing of citrusy and tangy tropical fruits – Avocado Macadamia, Pink Guava Ume, Sudachi Caramel Mango)
3. Fairmont Singapore
Assorted Baked Mooncakes in Premium Box, Double Yolk in White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncakes, Assorted Snowskin Mooncakes, White Rabbit Candy Snowskin Mooncakes, and Sea Salt Caramel Snowskin Mooncakes
4. Four Seasons Durians
Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin Mooncake, Sultan Durian Snowskin Mooncake, Traditional White Lotus Double Yolk Mooncake, and Mini Durian Snowskin Mooncake
5. Gim Tim Restaurant
Charcoal Snowskin with Salted Egg Custard, Crispy Pastry Skin Mooncake (Pure Yam Paste, Yam Paste with Single Yolk, Sweet Potato & Yam Paste), and Traditional Baked Skin Mooncake (White Lotus Paste, Assorted Nuts)
6. Drips
Drips Exquisite Mini Mooncakes (Pandan Coconut, Goji Berry Osmanthus, Lychee Rose, Choc Cherry Brandy)
7. Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Cherry Garden Four Treasures, Low Sugar Silver Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, and an Assortment of Mini Snowskin Mooncakes
8. Shangri-La Singapore
Shangri-La 50-year Aged Mandarin Peel, Rose and Red Bean Paste Mooncakes, Bird’s Nest Mooncake Gift Box, Peranakan-inspired Mooncake Gift Box, Moon Rabbit Kid’s Mooncake Gift Box, Premium MSW Durian Snowskin, Kaya with Reduced Sugar White Lotus Seed Paste Snowskin, and Reduced Sugar White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk
9. Venchi Gourmet Chocolate Mooncake
Chocolate Mooncake (Assortment of: Fruity Mooncake, Matcha Mooncake, and Dark Suprema Mooncake)
10. ParkRoyal on Beach Road
Si Chuan Dou Hua low-sugar mooncakes (Flavours: White Lotus Double Yolk, White Lotus Single Yolk, White Lotus Macadamia Nuts, Lychee Paste with Rose)
