According to folk tradition, on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, families usually prepare offerings to bid farewell to Ông Công (the god who watches over the house and land) and Ông Táo (the god who manages the kitchen) as they ascend to heaven. Among these offerings, live carp is indispensable, used for the ceremony and for releasing into the natural environment. Recognizing this demand, many households in the province have started raising red carp to supply the market.
A few days before the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, Mr. Bui Xuan Ngoc from Tang Loong commune harvested tens of thousands of carp from his fish ponds and transferred them to tanks for sale to traders and locals. Most of Mr. Ngoc's customers are traders doing business at the markets in Tang Loong, Gia Phu, Bao Thang, Cam Duong ward, and Lao Cai ...
Mr. Ngoc said: "Like in previous years, this year I'm raising about 60,000 red carp to supply the market. Raising red carp has low losses and can be harvested after nearly two months of care. This year, the wholesale price of fish at the pond remains stable at 120-130 thousand VND/kg depending on size."
At Pom Han market in Cam Duong ward, dozens of vendors have been selling red carp since the 20th day of the 12th lunar month, as many families need to buy carp for offerings before the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. However, according to the vendors, the demand for red carp only really increases from the afternoon of the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month. The average price of red carp is between 25,000 and 30,000 VND per offering (3 fish).
Ms. Phan Thúy Hằng, a small trader at Pom Hán market, said: "Instead of importing fish from the lowlands, this year I'm importing from red carp farmers in the province. Although the fish raised in the province aren't as uniform or beautiful as those from the lowlands, they are much healthier and have less loss because they don't need to be transported far. Consumers also really like this type of fish."
Similarly, at Kim Tan market in Lao Cai ward, around the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, many stalls selling red carp appeared. Instead of using plastic bags, vendors used plastic cups to hold the fish, making it easier for buyers to transport and release them. It is known that red carp at Kim Tan market are sold by vendors at prices ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 VND per bundle (3 fish), depending on the size of the fish.
Mr. Tran Manh Thang, a small trader at Kim Tan market, said: "Thanks to the abundant supply, the price of fish has remained stable for many years. In the past few days, the number of buyers has been quite low, but from this afternoon (December 22nd), the stalls selling red carp have become busier. Today, I will sell all night to serve the needs of the local people. Hopefully, by tomorrow morning, I will have sold almost 10,000 of these red carp."
Meanwhile, at Sa Pa market in Sa Pa ward, a significant increase in the number of customers buying red carp was recorded from the afternoon of the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month. Due to transportation costs, the selling price of red carp in this area is higher than in lower-lying areas. Red carp are being sold by vendors at this market for 40,000 - 50,000 VND per batch.
As the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month approaches, the market for red carp in the province becomes increasingly vibrant. The fact that many households in the province are proactively raising red carp locally helps reduce transportation costs, maintain stable prices, and meet the growing demands of consumers.
The sight of red carp continuing to accompany people home to their families not only contributes to preserving traditional culture but also creates an early spring atmosphere throughout the streets.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhon-nhip-thi-truong-ca-chep-do-post893387.html
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