TPO - Before Tet, the poor boat village in Ho Chi Minh City was bustling with boats selling all kinds of flowers like a floating market on the river, but in the first days of the new year, it suddenly became quiet because of the lack of both sellers and buyers.
The poor boat village at the foot of Tan Thuan Bridge (District 7, Ho Chi Minh City) is usually very crowded with boats selling coconuts, vegetables, bananas... especially during the days before Tet, it is always filled with flower boats. This place is likened to a floating market in the heart of the city.
However, during the Lunar New Year, the whole village is quiet, almost no one is seen.
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The barber shop has not yet opened. |
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Most of the traders in the boat village are from the Mekong Delta provinces. During Tet, the traders take advantage of the opportunity to return to their hometowns to reunite with their relatives. |
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Boats carrying coconuts and bananas can rest for a few days and bask in the spring sunshine. |
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The boat village was quiet in an atmosphere different from usual. |
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However, there are still a few families in the neighborhood staying to celebrate Tet. Ms. Phan Thi Mau said: "I pick up the flowers that people throw away to decorate the flower boat for Tet." |
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The cramped old boat is powered by solar panels. |
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The poor boat village has no water for daily use. People here buy a 30-liter can of water for 2,000 VND for daily use during Tet. |
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The kitchen on the boat is more beautiful in the afternoon of the third day of Tet. |
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The woman prepares a farewell meal for her grandparents on the afternoon of the third day of Tet with fish caught in the canal. |
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The altar of the boat village people is placed on the canal bank. |
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A woman taking shelter from the sun under an electric pole said: "During Tet, I get to rest but also lose my source of income from selling miscellaneous vegetables, so it's more difficult than usual." |
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The ferry picks up the first passengers of the year to the barge. |
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The conversation was lively on the afternoon of the 3rd day of Tet. The boat people said: "Since the COVID-19 pandemic until now, our lives are still facing many difficulties. Customers coming to buy and sell in the boat village have become much less." |
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On the third day of Tet, a few boats began to dock, preparing for a new year with many worries and hopes. |
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Life is still difficult but the boats are still beautifully decorated for Tet. |
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The fruit boat has not received any new goods yet so it is empty. |
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A corner of the boat village welcomes the new year. |
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River fish caught on boats are sold for only 40,000 VND/kg but very few people buy them. Mrs. Mau (65 years old) said: "I hope that in the new year, many people will come to buy vegetables, fruits and fish from the people in the boat village, helping our lives to be better." |
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