In the days leading up to the festival, children's play areas and coffee shops across the province have been decorated with lanterns, lion heads, lotus flowers, mooncakes and other familiar Mid-Autumn imagery.
The decorated spaces have become popular destinations for families and young people to take photos and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
In western Gia Lai, the celebrations have been building since early September, with coffee shops creating themed spaces ranging from traditional Mid-Autumn settings to designs inspired by Central Highlands culture.
At Quỳnh Café in Diên Hồng Ward, a red lion, lotus flowers, star-shaped and red lanterns, moon-themed backdrops and mooncakes are arranged throughout the venue.
Trần Thị Mỹ Hòa, from Diên Hồng Ward, brought her 2-year-old daughter to play and take photos.
“For families with young children, spaces decorated with traditional and familiar Mid-Autumn themes not only provide more places for kids to play but also offer parents the chance to capture memorable moments with their children,” she said.
Ngày Bình Yên Café in Pleiku Ward has taken a different approach, combining Mid-Autumn decorations with imagery associated with the Central Highlands. Elephants and children in brocade costumes are displayed alongside traditional festival decorations, creating a setting that blends the celebration with regional cultural elements.
At Chạm Mơ in Pleiku Ward, a 10-meter-long dragon dominates the courtyard. Together with decorative lighting and views across a valley in a volcanic crater area, the installation has become a popular spot for visitors as night falls.
Several coffee shops are also hosting evening lion dance performances. The sound of drums and cymbals, combined with the glow of lanterns, has turned the venues into lively gathering places for children during the festival season.
The festive atmosphere extends beyond western Gia Lai. In Quy Nhơn Ward, families are also seeking out decorated venues where children can play and take photos.
Trần Thị Kim Lợi, from Quy Nhơn Ward, spent a weekend afternoon with friends and their children at a coffee shop decorated for the Mid-Autumn Festival. She said she regularly checks fanpages to find suitable venues and prepares outfits and accessories that match their decorations.
“I actively look for coffee shops with cozy Mid-Autumn decorations on fanpages so my children have more places to play and enjoy the festival atmosphere,” Lợi said. “I also prepare their outfits in advance so we can capture the most sparkling and complete photos as soon as we arrive”.
Beyond photo opportunities, hands-on activities have added another dimension to the celebrations since early September. Lantern-making and floral decoration workshops have attracted children, teenagers and young adults interested in traditional crafts.
At a Chạm workshop on Yakumi Street in Quy Nhơn Ward on Sept. 13, more than 10 children gathered around a table to make star-shaped lanterns using bamboo sticks, colored cellophane and string.
The children worked through the process according to their age and ability. Some concentrated on assembling the bamboo frames, while others selected paper colors and decorations.
Workshop organizer Lê Thị Ái Vy said the activities are adapted for different age groups.
For children aged 10 to 12, participants complete the entire process, from arranging and tying the bamboo sticks into a star to assembling the frame, gluing the cellophane, making the support stick, installing the light and decorating the lantern. For children aged 6 to 8, the frame is prepared in advance so they can concentrate on gluing and decorating.
Ten-year-old Trần Viết Khôi, from North Quy Nhơn Ward, said making the support stick was the most difficult part because the lantern had to open evenly on all sides.
“I had to carefully adjust the size and skillfully maneuver my hands to keep each stick steady,” he said.
The workshops give children an opportunity to develop patience, dexterity and creativity while learning about a traditional toy associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Parents have also welcomed the activities as a way to create lasting memories with their children.
Trần Thị Ngọc Yến, from North Quy Nhơn Ward, brought her son and two cousins to the workshop. She said making lanterns themselves offered a more meaningful experience than simply buying finished products.
“I brought the kids because I found this activity extremely beneficial and interesting. The children can unleash their creativity and learn more about traditional lanterns,” Yến said. “Making their own lanterns instead of buying them will surely create unique and lasting memories”.
Other workshops allow participants to decorate star-shaped lanterns with fresh flowers.
Flower stems cost between 5,000 and 20,000 VND ($0.19-$0.76), depending on the type. Large star-lantern frames cost 15,000 VND ($0.57) each, while smaller frames cost 10,000 VND ($0.38), including floral foam.
Participants can make a relatively full floral lantern for about 100,000 VND ($3.81).
Vũ Thị Phương Thanh, owner of N3 Flower & Café in Diên Hồng Ward, said the workshop allows participants to select the types and quantities of flowers according to their preferences and budgets.
“The workshop charges based on the number of flowers used—customers pay for what they pick. With about 100,000 VND, you can make a fairly full floral lantern,” Thanh said.
From colorful photo spots and nightly lion dances to hands-on lantern-making sessions, Gia Lai's Mid-Autumn celebrations are bringing together play, creativity and familiar elements of traditional culture.
For families, the activities provide opportunities to spend time together, while children can experience new forms of play and young people can explore the festival through both contemporary spaces and traditional crafts.