The lanterns are more than just beautiful.

For students like Vy Le, who comes from Vietnam, the lanterns mean so much more.

“Whenever I look at the lantern, it reminds me of my childhood,” Le said.

These lanterns play a major role in the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, a major Chinese and Vietnamese holiday.

The festival is held each year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This year it will take place on Sept. 30.

To celebrate, the Vietnamese Student Association at Wichita State will host “Lantern Invasion 2012” today in front of the Ablah Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students can join in and celebrate by creating their own unique lantern, watch traditional dances, and eat moon cake, a popular Moon Festival delicacy.

“This holiday is mainly a day for the family to get together with the kids and have fun,” Le, president of VSA, said. “We really want to share our culture on campus—to have other people learn about it.”

This is the first time VSA has celebrated this holiday at WSU.