The beauty of year-end markets

For many people, going to the Tet market is not just about buying and selling, but also about immersing themselves in a special atmosphere.

Brocade fabrics are sold at the Na Mèo market.

While the mist still hung over the hillsides, despite the cold of the highlands, people of the Thai, Muong, Kinh, and Mong ethnic groups from distant villages and even from neighboring Laos flocked to the Na Meo market, located near the Na Meo International Border Gate (Na Meo commune), bringing goods and produce to sell. The Na Meo market during these days offers a full range of goods, from food and necessities to clothing, shoes, and items for the Lunar New Year, as well as products made by the locals themselves or gathered from the mountains and forests, such as dong leaves, bamboo strips for wrapping cakes, dổi seeds, dớn vegetables, banana blossoms, dried bamboo shoots, and honey. It seems that the best and most beautiful produce is reserved by the locals to sell at the market in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).

As a regular vendor at the Na Meo market, unlike on ordinary days, during the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), Ms. Vi Thi Ha (Quan Son commune) brings a wider variety of agricultural products to sell. As soon as she arrives at the market on her motorbike, she quickly arranges and displays her goods neatly for customers to easily choose from. Ms. Ha said: "The Na Meo market only meets on Saturdays, so I come here every week to sell various agricultural products, from sticky rice, vegetables, fruits, and spices like mac khen (a type of spice), pepper, etc., all grown and produced by my family. The market is usually much busier during the end-of-year market days than usual, so to meet the shopping needs of the people, the amount of goods I bring to sell increases threefold compared to normal days. Despite the increased demand, the prices of agricultural products haven't risen much compared to normal days, making it quite convenient for both sellers and buyers."

During Tet (Vietnamese New Year), crowds flock to Na Meo market to shop and sightsee... everyone wears their most beautiful and distinctive ethnic costumes, making the market even more vibrant. Ms. Vi Thi Han, a Thai ethnic woman, shared: "The atmosphere at Na Meo market in the days leading up to Tet is completely different from ordinary days, because of the bustling atmosphere of sellers and buyers. Not only that, during Tet, the market is also adorned with vibrant colors from stalls selling dresses and blouses woven from brocade, or branches of apricot and peach blossoms vying to show off their beauty... Going to the market is not just for buying and selling, but also an opportunity to socialize, meet, and chat after a year of hard work."

As is customary, many people go to the market on the last day of the year not necessarily to shop, but to enjoy the vibrant and joyful atmosphere of the approaching spring. Therefore, Chiềng market (Yên Ninh commune) attracts many vendors during these days. What's special is that sellers don't overcharge and buyers rarely haggle; the market unfolds naturally and warmly, because what they exchange is joy and warmth. One of the highlights of the Tet market here is the flower stalls, where peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, chrysanthemums, lilies... all bloom in vibrant colors, bringing a cheerful and lively spring atmosphere to the market.

Having been involved in selling fresh flowers at Chiềng market for many years, Ms. Trịnh Thị Giang said: "I've been selling flowers here for many years, mainly roses, chrysanthemums, and marigolds... These flowers not only beautify the space of the house during Tet (Lunar New Year), but also carry deep feng shui meanings, wishing good luck, wealth, and peace for the homeowner. Therefore, the number of customers buying flowers increases by about 10-15% compared to normal days during the Tet season, especially from the 20th day of the 12th lunar month, the number of customers buying flowers to decorate their homes is even higher."

At the end of the year, setting aside the worries and hustle of life, many people eagerly gather at the Tet market. Besides buying and selling goods, it's also a time for meeting, socializing, and chatting. Therefore, the Tet market is an indispensable part of every Tet holiday and a unique cultural tradition that needs to be preserved and promoted.

Text and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/net-dep-tu-cac-phien-cho-cuoi-nam-278395.htm