The 19th Mid-Autumn Festival Float Parade, Vietnam's largest celebration of the East Asian holiday, opened on Saturday in the small city of Tuyen Quang, north of Hanoi.

The event began on Saturday night, when more than 60 unique lantern floats started their journey from the square in the city center. Performances featuring local cultural elements were held on the opening day, attracting crowds of tourists from Vietnam and abroad.

"My child especially likes the dragon-shaped lanterns. The float is very beautifully done. She is very excited and has been looking forward to seeing it again," said Phan Thi Phuong Dung, a local resident.

An international tourist from Germany who witnessed the parade last year was so impressed that he returned for a second time.

"I think this year it's much more professional with a big stage, and the wagons are as beautiful, if not more beautiful than last year," he said.

The half-month-long event is a proven boon to the local economy. Even late at night, specialty product stalls along the parade route are overrun with customers during the festival, much to shop owners' delight.

"This is my fourth time attending the Mid-Autumn Festival event. The sales revenue at the event is very high. Tourists from other provinces and foreign countries come here and spend money, and they like the traditional food here," said Nong Thi But, a local businesswoman.