Vietnam Lantern Parade Kicks Off

Dozens of giant lanterns were paraded through the city of Tuyen Quang on Wednesday, a day before the widely popular moon festival. The lanterns, 100 in total, were placed on floats and pushed around the northern city. The festival is held on the full moon of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, and usually lasts for three days. Traditionally, the festival was held to honor the moon in the hope of ensuring a successful harvest. In the evenings during the festival, the city streets are typically packed with thousands of people, many wearing traditional or modern masks.