Vietnam

I have a few postcards from Vietnam now, mostly thanks to Jo. This card is from her as well.



According to the description on the back of this card, this postcard shows Uncle HO enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival with youngsters in Hanoi Capital. I was a bit confused about the term 'Mid-Autumn festival' first, until I realised it's the same as the Moon Festival. It is a popular harvest festival celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese people, dating back over 3,000 years to moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar. It is a date that parallels the autumnal equinox of the solar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and roundest. The traditional food of this festival is the mooncake, of which there are many different varieties.



The main point of this card is actually the stamps.. Vietnam follows the Chinese zodiac, except that instead of the Year of the Rabbit, it celebrates the Year of the Cat. Personally I find that very cool as the Cat is probably my favourite animal. ^_^