At noon on the 30th day of the Lunar New Year 2024, the Nga Tu So market area (Dong Da district, Hanoi ) was still bustling with buyers and sellers. Vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, flowers, etc., were displayed in abundance on shelves and on numerous pushcarts.
The stalls selling fruits for the traditional five-fruit offering tray for Tet (Lunar New Year) are becoming busier. Many housewives are still rushing to the market to buy various fruits to offer to their ancestors and arrange on the five-fruit offering tray.
Ms. Hang Nga, who sells fruits at Nga Tu So market (Dong Da district), said that the wholesale price in the days leading up to Tet is higher than usual, and the increased demand during Tet means prices are slightly higher than normal, but not fluctuating too much.
The prices of some essential fruits in the five-fruit offering tray, such as green bananas, pomelos, watermelons, and Buddha's hand citron, remain unchanged compared to normal days.
Small traders selling goods at Nga Tu So market, Dong Da district (Photo: Huynh Anh).
Ms. Hanh (Dong Da district) said she only had time to go to the market today. The prices of fruits for the five-fruit offering tray this year are "softer" than in previous years. Many types are only half the price of last year.
"Buying things is much easier this year," said Ms. Hanh. She recounted that this year she went to the market early to prepare for the offerings. "I only spent nearly 300,000 dong and bought enough flowers of all kinds to decorate the offering tray. Last year I spent nearly 500,000 dong and still bought less."
Green bananas are the item with the most volatile prices. Bunches with an even number of small bananas range from 40,000 to 60,000 VND. Bunches with an odd number of bananas (15-21) are significantly more expensive than usual. Bunches with large, uniform bananas are being sold for nearly 300,000 VND.
Fruits are displayed for sale at Chinh Kinh Street Market, Thanh Xuan (Photo: Huynh Anh).
Prices for other fruits are more stable. Red tangerines cost around 40,000 VND/kg, green pomelos 65,000 VND/kg, dragon fruit 40,000 VND/kg… Watermelons with carved inscriptions, however, cost 100,000-300,000 VND/fruit depending on size.
The retail price of Buddha's hand fruit at the market ranges from 30,000 to 60,000 VND per fruit. Large, beautiful Buddha's hand fruits are offered by retailers at prices ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per fruit.
Ms. Nga (from Chinh Kinh Street, Thanh Xuan District) was delighted to have bought enough items for the New Year's Eve offering. She said that although the prices of goods had increased compared to normal days, they were still cheap compared to Tet holidays in previous years.
Prices of fresh flowers have also increased slightly as Tet approaches. Specifically, chrysanthemums cost 50,000 VND/bunch, gladioli 120,000 VND/bunch, violets 60,000 VND/bunch, and peonies from 70,000 VND/bunch...
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