Changes at the Gold Market

Located in Ai Quoc ward (Hai Phong city), Vang Market is not only a familiar place for locals to buy and sell goods but also preserves the form of an ancient market.

After renovation and upgrading, the Gold Market ensures safety and cleanliness for people to conduct business and trade.

Cultural imprint

According to historical records, the original Vang Market did not have a fixed location as it does today. In the old days, people traded goods at the riverbank in makeshift stalls, and the roads were difficult to access. To ensure safety, the villagers moved the exchange of goods to the courtyard of Hoang Xa communal house. From the initially sparsely populated market, the number of people attending gradually increased, forming the Vang Market - the trading center of the entire region.

A significant turning point occurred in January of the year Ất Tỵ (1845), during the reign of Emperor Thiệu Trị. At that time, the villagers and officials joined forces to build two rows of sturdy stone stalls on either side of the communal courtyard. Each row consisted of 10 stalls. The two rows of stone pillars of each stall were inscribed with Han-Nom characters recording the names of individuals, families, and associations in the village who had contributed. These inscriptions not only commemorated contributions but also reflected the community spirit and the unity of the villagers in creating a shared living space. On the tiled roof, each ancient tile was inscribed with the character "thọ" (longevity), conveying the hope for the market's enduring existence and stability over time.

From the latter half of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the Gold Market became a bustling trading hub, holding six regular sessions each month. It served not only the people of Hoang Xa but also attracted traders from many neighboring areas. In modern life, the market no longer operates on a monthly schedule but is now open daily, with the busiest times usually being weekends.

Upgrading and renovation

Two rows of stone pavilions, approximately 180 years old, were dismantled, moved, and reconstructed using wood, stone, and fired tiles.

With the vicissitudes of history and the impact of time, the Vang Market has gradually deteriorated. Many structures no longer meet safety standards. The electrical, water, sanitation, and fire prevention and fighting systems do not meet the requirements of a modern market. Faced with this situation, since the end of 2024, the People's Committee of Hai Duong City (formerly) has implemented a project to renovate and upgrade the Vang Market with a total budget of over 7.6 billion VND.

During construction, the local authorities closely coordinated with the construction unit and the people, aiming to both improve infrastructure and preserve historical value as much as possible. Two rows of stone stalls, approximately 180 years old, were dismantled, relocated, and restored to their original state using wood, stone, and tiles. This approach helps preserve the memories of the past and creates a unique highlight within the overall space of the new, spacious, and convenient market.

Upon completion, the Vang Market will have a cleaner, more modern appearance while retaining the "essence" of the old market and will be put into operation from October 2025. The spacious area and synchronized infrastructure facilitate convenient trading, ensuring safety and hygiene. Local residents are delighted that the market not only meets their daily shopping needs but also becomes a familiar meeting place and community hub. Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhuan, a small business owner at Vang Market, said: "We are very happy that the market has been renovated and upgraded. It is safe, clean, and very convenient for people to do business."

The Gold Market now has a cleaner, more modern appearance, but still retains the "essence" of the old market.

According to Mr. Pham Duc Viet, Deputy Head of the Economic , Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of Ai Quoc Ward, the new market, with its spacious, modern, and civilized appearance, promotes commercial activities while preserving culture. It is not simply a place for buying and selling, but also a space connecting tradition and modernity.

Having existed for nearly 200 years, enduring countless ups and downs, Vang Market still stands strong as a historical witness. The market gatherings of the local people silently tell the story of a land rich in tradition, where the culture of rural markets continues to be preserved and spread throughout the local development.

HUYEN TRANG

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/doi-thay-o-cho-vang-532308.html