Services that capitalize on the Lunar New Year holiday.

As the apricot blossoms begin to bud, and preparations for spring arrive everywhere, so too do the related services that capitalize on the Lunar New Year season become bustling.

Young people wearing traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses pose for photos to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Photo: Phuong Lan.

These days, it's not uncommon to see nail salons and hair salons bustling with customers. Ms. Thuy Nhi (owner of a nail salon in Long Xuyen ward), while meticulously painting floral patterns on a customer's nails, shared: "From the day of the Kitchen God's departure to heaven (the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month) until New Year's Eve, my salon's schedule has been fully booked. Most of our customers are regulars, so they book appointments very early to secure a spot. These days, no matter how tired we are, we have to try our best to ensure everyone has beautiful nails to wear for Tet."

According to Ms. Nhi, the general sentiment among women is that besides tidying up their homes, they also want to look presentable. A new manicure and a fashionable hairstyle help women feel more confident, carrying with them the hope for a fulfilling and fresh new year. During the season, the beauty scene is bustling everywhere. In An Chau commune, Ms. Dang Phuong Dung's nail salon is also "overwhelmed." Working non-stop, Ms. Dung confided: "Customers love me, that's why they come to me during these days, so I try my best to do a good job to satisfy them. There are only a few days of Tet (Lunar New Year) each year, so I try to work until all the customers are gone before closing. Sometimes, my nail salon doesn't close until the 29th or 30th of Tet."

Along with the demand for beauty services, the rental of traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses has also become popular during this year's Tet holiday. Ms. Bich Nguyet (32 years old), the owner of an ao dai and accessories rental shop in Long Xuyen ward, said that this year, customer preferences are very diverse, ranging from traditional ao dai designs to modern, innovative styles. Customers have been coming to the shop since mid-December to choose their favorite ao dai. "Many customers want to have their Tet photos taken early to avoid the crowds in the last days of the year. The rental price for each ao dai ranges from 80,000 to 100,000 VND depending on the style and material. The convenience is that customers can return the dresses after wearing them, and the shop will take care of the laundry, so customers really like it," Ms. Nguyet said.

These days, the Provincial Museum, located at 27 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Rach Gia Ward, has become an ideal "film set" for spring photo shoots. With its classic French architecture and warm, muted yellow tones, the space here is both solemn and ancient, yet poetic, evoking old memories of the An Giang region.

Beneath the cool shade of the trees, beside windows stained with the passage of time, every corner of the museum can become a dazzling photo opportunity. It can be said that the Provincial Museum is not only a repository of historical values ​​but has also become a living cultural space. The fact that young people choose this place to take Tet photos shows a natural connection between tradition and modernity.

The surge in demand for photography has kept photographers busy, from professionals to freelancers. Nghia, a photographer in Long Xuyen ward, said he's been fully booked for Tet (Lunar New Year) photo shoots for about a month now. “Customers now prefer outdoor shoots in scenic locations, ancient temples, or characteristic local architectural landmarks. To cater to the needs of students, I offer quite reasonable prices, around 600,000 - 900,000 VND per photo set within the city. For longer distances, there's an additional charge for fuel,” Nghia shared.

Under the gentle sunshine as spring arrives in the final days of the year, photographers like Nghia are still diligently moving around, carefully selecting camera angles and adjusting poses for their clients. For them, joy is not just about the income, but also about capturing the moments and radiant smiles of their customers as Tet (Lunar New Year) comes and spring arrives.

The hustle and bustle of those working in beauty services, renting traditional Vietnamese dresses (áo dài), or taking photos has added to the vibrant atmosphere of the spring season. Despite the hard work, the satisfied smiles of their customers are the most meaningful New Year's gift for them.

PHUONG LAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/dich-vu-an-theo-ngay-tet-a474770.html