A cheerful and festive atmosphere is spreading through Da Nang during the build up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, which this year falls on 27 September.

In particular, local residents and children are being treated to impressive performances by professional and amateur lion dance groups along local streets at night.  In addition, a wide range of Mid-autumn items, including mooncakes, lanterns, handmade lion heads and drums, are now being sold at many shops across the city.

Here are some photos, taken by reporter Tram Anh, which depict the joyful atmosphere during the build up to the festival.

Mooncake stalls

Stores selling lanterns, drums, handmade lion heads and other items are crowded with buyers

Colourful handmade lanterns

Shoppers buying tools and utensils for baking mooncakes

Student Ha Xuan Tai meticulously handpainting a lion's head

A pair of red lion heads symbolising luck and happiness

A crowd of local residents and children …

…enjoying the vibrant sounds of the drums …

… and an impressive lion dance

‘Thai Son Tra’ lion dance group …

… treating local residents and children to its fascinating performance.