[FAIE] Second Prize at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Design Competition, Academic Year 2022–2023.

Every year when Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, we eagerly look forward to it. Mentioning Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone immediately thinks of Cuoi, Hang Nga, the Banyan Tree, festive feasts, and especially the family meal, as Mid-Autumn is the Festival of Reunion. However, less fortunate children still endure hardships and may not fully understand what Mid-Autumn Festival is. In order to bring them a warmer and more fulfilling Mid-Autumn season, the Executive Committee of the University Youth Union organized a lantern-making competition to create a meaningful playground for students to express their creativity and then send their love through the lanterns to children at Bac Hai Parish.

From 16:00 on 10 September 2022, the Faculties as well as class Youth Union branches gathered at Campus 3, where the competition was held. Lanterns in various elaborate designs were carefully prepared by faculties and classes and brought to the competition, each carrying its own meaning and color.

“Mid-Autumn Festival night under the full moon, I follow the shining star to visit Sister Hang.” Since ancient times, the Mid-Autumn lantern has been regarded as an indispensable symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival. To express respect for the long-standing traditions of our ancestors, we sincerely thank the Organizing Committee for creating such a meaningful lantern design competition. The Mid-Autumn lantern presented today by the Executive Committee of the Youth Union – Student Association of FAIE carries many meanings and conveys the Committee’s best wishes. Designed in a circular shape symbolizing completeness, fulfillment, reunion, and sustainability—without a beginning or an end and not easily divided—the circle also represents the full moon of the eighth lunar month and the round mooncakes symbolizing prosperity and family unity on the Festival of Reunion. During each Mid-Autumn season, streets are filled with vibrant stalls displaying mooncakes.

The first side of the lantern is decorated with images of Cuoi, Hang Nga, and the Banyan Tree—figures that are indispensable in the traditional folktales told each Mid-Autumn Festival. The front of the lantern features the Lac Bird, the symbolic logo of Lac Hong University, along with the inscription “25 Years of FAIE,” marking the 25th anniversary of the University and also the 25th anniversary of FAIE—one of the first faculties established at the University. It also conveys the heartfelt wishes of the Faculty’s Youth Union Executive Committee to children in difficult circumstances, hoping they will enjoy a more complete and joyful Mid-Autumn season.

After days of dedicated effort, the six teams of FAIE successfully completed their products. Among them, Youth Union Branch 21QT111 won Second Prize at the competition. Congratulations to Youth Union Branch 21QT111 and the other branches, and best wishes for their continued academic success in the coming time.