Don't make fun of the sadness of Tet flower vendors.

Deliberately waiting until the 29th or 30th of Tet to buy Tet flowers in order to haggle with traders is something that should be avoided, both from a customary and ethical standpoint.

As Tet approaches, amidst the hustle and bustle and the lingering chill of Hanoi's winter, the topic of buying flowers and ornamental plants becomes a subject of debate for many people. They wonder whether they should wait until the 29th or 30th of Tet to buy peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and kumquats at cheaper prices, or whether they should buy early, choose carefully, to beautify their homes and show respect to those who have invested so much effort in cultivating them.

Walking around Hanoi's famous flower markets like Quang Ba and Den Lu, it's easy to see that flowers and ornamental plants are still abundant, even though the Lunar New Year of the Snake 2025 is only a few days away. The calls of the vendors mingle with the sound of the cold wind, while the kumquat trees, peach blossoms, and lilies stand there, as if longing to "go home".

Đừng tạo niềm vui từ nỗi buồn của người bán hoa Tết

The habit of many families buying flowers close to Tet (Lunar New Year) doesn't always stem from the intention of finding the cheapest prices. (Illustrative image)

According to vendors, the number of customers this year has decreased significantly, even though prices have been adjusted lower than last year. A beautiful kumquat tree over a meter tall costs from 500,000 to 1-2 million VND, while bunches of lilies and gladioli only range from 200,000 to 300,000 VND, yet buyers are still very scarce...

Many vendors, pressured to clear their inventory, decided to sell off their goods at rock-bottom prices today, accepting the loss rather than suffer a complete financial blow. However, some expressed unwavering resolve, stating that even on the 29th or 30th of Tet (Lunar New Year), they would rather cut down their produce and throw it away than endure being forced to sell at a low price, determined not to let their carefully cultivated products become insignificant commodities.

In reality, the habit of buying flowers close to Tet (Lunar New Year) for many families doesn't always stem from the intention of finding cheaper prices. Simply put, closer to the date, many people can more easily time the flowers to bloom at the right moment. This is experience gained after years of unstable weather causing flowers to bloom prematurely, forcing many to use ice to slow the blooming process, otherwise they would end up displaying dry branches and wilted plants indoors, ruining the freshness of the New Year.

Some families, due to lack of time and busy schedules with specific jobs, only have free time around the 28th or 29th of Tet, so they have to go to the market at the last minute to make their selections.

However, it's not uncommon for people to deliberately wait until the 29th or 30th of Tet, when vendors are forced to lower prices to recover their capital. This is ill-advised, because according to traditional beliefs, preparing for Tet is not just about decorating the house but also about showing respect to ancestors. Careful selection is necessary, especially before preparing the offering tray for the New Year's Eve ceremony. Therefore, waiting to haggle for cheap ornamental plants is tantamount to undermining the sacredness of this custom.

From an ethical standpoint, it also harms the value of the labor of the farmers who have spent the whole year tending to each peach and kumquat tree. Sometimes, this price manipulation becomes the reason why small traders bitterly cut off peach branches and throw kumquat trees into the trash on the last day of the year – an act that expresses the weary sigh of those who are "beautifying the world," but whose efforts are disregarded and given a paltry price.

Therefore, if possible, prepare your Tet plants early. Don't let a vibrant kumquat tree or a dazzling peach blossom branch be buried amidst regrets and sorrow. Let Tet truly be a time for sharing, a moment when everyone cherishes small but profound values, so that every flower and every plant in the house carries the breath of connection and gratitude.

Deliberately waiting until the 29th or 30th of Tet to buy Tet flowers in order to haggle with traders is something that should be avoided, both from a customary and ethical standpoint.

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