32-meter dragon lantern lights up Pleiku’s Mid-Autumn night

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(GLO) – Hundreds of residents and children gathered on Saturday evening at 176 Hoang Van Thu Street in Dien Hong Ward to admire a 32-meter-long dragon-shaped lantern, hand-crafted by local resident Nguyen Thi Thu That and her family to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The massive dragon, illuminated by thousands of colorful LED lights, has become a centerpiece of Pleiku’s mountain town festivities. Designed and built entirely by hand over two months, the lantern represents the family’s wish to bring joy and connection to the community.

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The 32-meter-long dragon lantern was handcrafted. Photo: Minh Thu

“For this year’s festival, we wanted something even more special,” Ms. That said. “We added three carp lanterns beside the dragon, symbolizing the legend that in 2025, the carp will transform into a dragon. It’s a way to make the celebration more beautiful for the children.”

Her son, Phan Tat Thang, said the family worked together to create the piece “to bring children a joyful and meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival,” emphasizing the event’s spirit of reunion and love.

The That family, known locally for their charitable activities over the past four years, also organized a free gift-giving program for local children and disadvantaged families. The event included a “Answer questions to win gifts” activity, where children could receive babythree gift boxes, the most special being a babythree 1000% box.

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Crowds of locals and children gathered in front of Ms. That’s house to receive Mid-Autumn gifts and watch the lion dance. Photo: Minh Thu

At exactly 7 p.m., the festive sounds of lion dance drums filled the street. Fireworks lit up the Pleiku sky, as cheers from excited children echoed through the town.

“I love the big dragon with all the twinkling lights the most,” said Nguyen Doan Bao Dang, a young attendee. “I want to get closer to see the dragon’s head move and play the quiz game to win gifts.”

Parents also shared their excitement. Nguyen Thi Bich Loan said she brought her child early “to get a good spot and join all the activities,” while Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen praised the family’s annual event, saying it gives children “a meaningful playground during the only Mid-Autumn Festival of the year.”

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The dragon-shaped lantern was handcrafted. Photo: Minh Thu

The dazzling dragon display quickly spread across social media after Phan Tat Thanh, another family member, posted a video online, attracting over 31,000 views.

The That family said the dragon lantern cost approximately 50 million VND (about USD 2,000) to make, marking one of Pleiku’s most elaborate and community-driven Mid-Autumn celebrations in recent years.

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