The bustling Tan Phong market

As is customary, on the 6th of every month, people from the 13 villages of Tan Phong commune flock to Van Yen wharf, bringing mountain and forest products to the market. This year's traditional market, held at the end of the year, is organized on a larger scale by Tan Phong commune, coinciding with the Ethnic Groups Cultural Festival, creating a unique feature that attracts visitors from far and wide to shop, explore, and experience.

Cargo boats belonging to boat traders come from various provinces.

The market is set up on a plot of land near the riverbank; the space isn't very large, but it's enough for the stalls to display their goods and attract buyers and sellers. From early morning, the villagers arrive to arrange and display their local products, from vegetables, dried bamboo shoots, forest honey, dried fish, snails, traditional sweet potato cakes to brocade items made by the Muong ethnic group. On the river, boats carrying goods from traders from Hai Phong, Phu Tho, and Hanoi are anchored. Each boat is like a mobile supermarket on the water, traveling for a month on the Song Da reservoir, from Phu Tho to the riverside markets in Son La, and returning to load goods after each market day.

Having traded at the riverside markets along the Da River for over 20 years, Mr. Quach Van Khoa's boat departs from Bich Ha port in Hoa Binh ward, Phu Tho province, and travels along the Da River in Phu Yen and Bac Yen districts to the former Muong La. After each trip, the boat returns to Phu Tho to load goods, then continues its journey upstream to trade. Mr. Khoa said: "Now there are more boats carrying goods, and the goods are more diverse, so people are less burdened. Having been involved with these markets for so many years, I've had the opportunity to meet and interact with honest and simple local people, and to share and understand more about the unique cultural values ​​of the people in the Da River lake region."

Tourists visit and shop for products at the market.

As midday approached, the market became even more lively. People from the surrounding villages, dressed in their colorful traditional clothing, flocked to the market. The laughter and chatter of buyers and sellers mingled with the sounds of music echoing throughout the area. People came to the market not only to shop for daily necessities but also to socialize, meet, and greet each other after a period of hard work and production.

The stalls display and sell local agricultural products.

Living in Mo Sach village, nearly 20 km by river from the market center, Ms. Dinh Thi Xay attends the market every month. Each market day, she buys all the essential necessities for her family. Ms. Xay shared: "The goods at the market are diverse and reasonably priced, so every market day I travel by boat to buy supplies and food for my family."

At the December market, locals and tourists can also participate in the Tan Phong Commune Ethnic Culture Festival with many attractive activities, such as: a culinary competition, a display of traditional feasts, experiencing the Muong ethnic culture, listening to Dang Muong folk songs on the river, and watching gong and drum performances. The organizers also arranged a space to experience traditional folk games such as crossbow shooting, stick pushing, tug-of-war, blindfolded duck catching... so that locals and tourists can experience and immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere, discovering the unique cultural features in the lives of the ethnic people in the commune.

After completing the blindfolded duck-catching competition amidst the cheers of the locals, Ms. Tran Gia Phong, a tourist from Hung Yen, shared: "This is my first time experiencing such a vibrant and exciting festival in the Da River region, and I feel very happy. Here, we were able to shop for local specialties and have many interesting and attractive experiences."

The police in Tan Phong commune are educating boat owners on fire safety.

Mr. Cam Vinh Tri, Chairman of the Tan Phong Commune People's Committee, informed: The Tan Phong Commune Ethnic Culture Festival, held during the local market day, attracted a large number of people and tourists to interact, experience, and enjoy the festivities. Through organizing the festival, the commune hopes to create a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere, encourage people to work and produce actively, improve their lives, strengthen ethnic solidarity, and promote the culture, local agricultural products, and the beauty of the daily life of the ethnic groups in the riverine region to friends and tourists.

People choose to buy essential supplies on the boat.

The market on the Da River lake area, closely intertwined with the lives of the local people, has become a beautiful aspect of the cultural life of those living along the river. It serves as a place for trading goods, promoting local economic development, and providing an opportunity for tourists to experience and contribute to promoting tourism in the lake area, leading to the flourishing development of Tan Phong in the new era.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/nhon-nhip-cho-phien-tan-phong-tMj4JzGvR.html