The 30th of Tet, indoors and outdoors.

On the morning of the 30th of Tet in the Mekong Delta, the weather was cool, the sun rose slowly, and the streets and markets were bustling. By midday, most people had tidied up their houses, prepared cakes and fruits, and gathered together to await New Year's Eve.

On the morning of the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, the shopping atmosphere at Sa Dec market ( Dong Thap province ) was bustling from early morning, with people mainly choosing fruits for the five-fruit offering to welcome the New Year - PHOTO: TRUC QUYEN

The last market of the Year of the Rabbit

The rural market on the last day of the year is not only bustling with the variety of Tet goods but also filled with excitement as the new year approaches, just a few hours away. “This morning I took my mother to the market at 6 am to buy the last tray of five offerings for the New Year's Eve ceremony tonight. Since the 28th of Tet, my mother and I have been to Sa Dec market countless times, but we still haven't bought everything. This morning, we're making the most of our last trip to the market in 2023,” shared Hoang Thong (28 years old, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap province) cheerfully while waiting for his mother.

The traditional five-fruit tray in Southern Vietnam usually includes: custard apple, coconut, papaya, mango, and fig, which, when mispronounced, sounds like "enough to spend," implying a wish for financial abundance and prosperity in the new year. - PHOTO: TRUC QUYEN

Not only are shoppers excited about Tet, but the vendors here are also witty and gossipy. Ms. Kim Hue (43 years old, Lap Vo, Dong Thap), a fruit vendor, said sweetly: "I heard it will be another 9-10 years before we have another Tet Eve. If you need anything, hurry up and buy it this morning, buy early so we can sell everything quickly, and then go home to celebrate the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!"

People rush to buy more fruit at the last market of the Year of the Rabbit 2023 - PHOTO: TRUC QUYEN

Bringing more spring home - PHOTO: TRUC QUYEN

Watermelons were being sold off by many vendors at Sa Dec market this morning for only 5,000 - 8,000 VND/kg depending on the variety, so they could go home and celebrate Tet early - PHOTO: TRUC QUYEN

Going home means Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

“The 30th of Tet is special because it marks the final moments of the old year, when the house is tidy, the children are all home, and the New Year's Eve dinner table is filled with old stories and goals and plans for the new year. It will be a wish for a better life!” - Mr. Nguyen Van Ba ​​(71 years old, residing in Tan Quy Dong ward, Sa Dec city, Dong Thap province) calmly said.

The atmosphere of Tet in the countryside is always full of emotion, simple yet warm and cozy - PHOTO: TRUC QUYEN

Many people who live far from home, or simply just wandering around, try to be home by the afternoon of the 30th at the latest to reunite with their families for Tet, ending a year of hard work. “Every year, due to the nature of my job, I can’t take an early Tet holiday. This year, I only got home around noon on the 30th. Seeing the yellow apricot blossoms blooming all over the yard, and seeing my mother’s braised pork and bitter melon soup inside… I already feel like it’s Tet!” said Mr. Tran Ngoc Sang (35 years old, Lap Vo town, Dong Thap province).

Braised pork belly, also known as braised pork with soy sauce or braised pork with rice wine, is a signature dish that is indispensable for people in Southern Vietnam during every Lunar New Year. (PHOTO: TRUC QUYEN)

In the memories of the Vietnamese people, Tet is special because of its "abundance"—abundance of family members, abundance of sweets and delicious dishes, abundance of joy, and reunion with loved ones. Therefore, not only the 30th day of the lunar month, but all the last days of the twelfth lunar month and the first days of the Lunar New Year always retain their traditional value year after year. Outside, the spring sunshine is warming up...

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