Ho Chi Minh City has a new seasonal attraction for travelers looking for something different from the usual museums, markets, and rooftop bars. A historic communal house in the city is currently filled with giant handmade lanterns inspired by a traditional Vietnamese folk tale.
The centerpiece is a nearly three-meter-tall toad, surrounded by oversized lanterns shaped like a crab, tiger, bear, bee, fox, dragon, fish, and other characters. The display combines traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship with a story that is closely connected to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Where to See the Giant Lanterns
The exhibition is being held at Son Tra Communal House (Đình Sơn Trà), a more than 160-year-old historic communal house in Ho Chi Minh City.
The exhibition is called “Coc Coc Tung Tung” and is inspired by the Vietnamese folk tale The Toad Sues Heaven. In the story, a toad leads a group of animals to Heaven to ask for rain during a severe drought.
The organizers have recreated the story using large handmade lanterns made from bamboo strips and traditional do paper. The result is considerably different from the mass-produced plastic lanterns commonly sold around the city before Mid-Autumn Festival.
When Is the Lantern Exhibition Open?
The exhibition runs from August 20 to October 11, 2026, so travelers visiting Ho Chi Minh City in September or early October still have plenty of time to see it.
- Weekdays: 1:00 PM–8:00 PM
- Weekends: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
- Mid-Autumn Festival: September 25, 2026
Scheduled guided presentations are also held during the day, explaining the folk tale, the lantern characters, and the cultural meaning behind the exhibition.
What Makes This Exhibition Worth Visiting?
The biggest attraction is obviously the scale. The main toad lantern is almost three meters tall, while other animal figures create a large installation inside the historic building.
But the setting is just as interesting. Instead of being displayed in a modern shopping center or temporary event space, the lanterns are installed inside a traditional communal house that dates back more than 160 years.
The exhibition also recreates elements of a traditional Vietnamese Mid-Autumn celebration. Visitors can see handmade decorations, traditional figurines, and an offering table, while traditional cakes and preserves are available for visitors to sample.
For travelers interested in Vietnamese culture, this makes the exhibition more than just a photo opportunity. It offers a relatively compact way to see how Mid-Autumn traditions are being presented in a modern Ho Chi Minh City setting.
Why September Is a Good Time to Visit
The exhibition is particularly relevant in September because Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 25 this year. During this period, lanterns appear throughout Ho Chi Minh City, especially in the city’s traditional Chinese-Vietnamese districts.
However, the Son Tra exhibition is different from simply walking through a lantern street. Here, the focus is on traditional materials, Vietnamese folklore, and handcrafted installations.
If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City, the exhibition can easily be combined with other cultural attractions during a day in the city. The city’s best museums are another good option if you want to spend the day exploring Vietnamese history and culture.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
If the lantern exhibition is part of your September itinerary, staying in a central area makes getting around the city much easier. There are plenty of hotels in Ho Chi Minh City across different budgets, from affordable city-center rooms to luxury properties.
For travelers arriving or departing through Tan Son Nhat International Airport, staying near the airport can also make sense, especially for an early flight. See our guide to airport hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.
Is It Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you are in Ho Chi Minh City between now and October 11. The exhibition is free to visit, visually distinctive, and offers something that is difficult to find elsewhere in the city: traditional Vietnamese Mid-Autumn culture presented through large-scale handmade lanterns inside a historic building.
It is also easy to combine with other sightseeing, so you do not need to build an entire day around it. For many visitors, an hour or two at the exhibition should be enough to see the lanterns, take photos, and learn about the folk story behind them.
Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Son Tra Communal House, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Exhibition | “Coc Coc Tung Tung” |
| Dates | August 20–October 11, 2026 |
| Weekday hours | 1:00 PM–8:00 PM |
| Weekend hours | 9:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Main attraction | Nearly 3-meter-tall toad lantern |
| Theme | The Toad Sues Heaven folk tale |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | September 25, 2026 |
Source
Information and images for this article are based on reporting by Tuoi Tre News, published September 7, 2026.
Planning a wider Southeast Asia trip?
Cambodia With Me — practical Cambodia travel guides
Siam With Me — Thailand travel guides
Indonesia With Me — Indonesia travel guides
Singapore With Me — Singapore travel guides
Build your Vietnam route — free.