The market signals the arrival of spring.

When the wild peach blossoms bloom profusely on the mountain slopes, and the plum blossoms burst into white on the hillsides, it's time for everyone to set aside their farming work and eagerly descend the mountains to the market to buy new household items and food for Tet (Lunar New Year). The highland markets during these days are not only places of trade but also cultural meeting points, where the colors, sounds, and flavors characteristic of the lives of the ethnic minorities converge.

A corner of the Nam Cuong commune market.

The Harmony of the Mountains and Forests

From before dawn, people of the Tay, Mong, and San Chi ethnic groups flocked to Boc Bo market. Located in the center of Bang Thanh commune, the market, usually quiet, was bustling and lively. Everyone wanted to buy and sell quickly so they could meet friends and relatives and prepare for the upcoming Tet holiday.

On the paths leading to the market, the sounds of footsteps mingle with the laughter and bargaining of shoppers. Interspersed are the clatter of horse hooves and the crisp roar of motorbike engines, all blending together to create a unique symphony of sounds characteristic of a highland market.

People from all the villages flocked to the market, bringing with them the distinctive colors of their ethnic costumes. Brightly colored dresses and embroidered patterns stood out against the white mist, making the market even more vibrant.

Among the stalls, those selling clothes, fabrics, embroidery threads, and jewelry are always the busiest, especially with women. Bending down to select pieces of indigo-dyed fabric displayed on a tarp spread on the ground, Ms. Trieu Thi Nien, a San Chi ethnic woman from Bang Thanh commune, shared: "These days when I go to the market, I usually buy household items and spices, then I take the opportunity to choose some pieces of fabric and embroidery thread to bring home and embroider new clothes for my children."

The goods at the Boc Bo market today are different from those at regular markets. This is a time when the market brings together a full range of goods transported by traders from the lowlands, from food, necessities, clothing, and shoes to items for Tet (Lunar New Year), all densely displayed and packed along the pathways. But the "soul" of the highland market still lies in the 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, honey, corn wine... It seems that the best and most beautiful things are saved up by the locals to bring to the market, creating the richness of the market on the eve of Tet.

At the Nam Cuong commune market, from early morning, the roads leading to the market were crowded with people. In the characteristic chill of the highlands, people from all the villages and hamlets carried their goods and walked briskly to the market. The market space at this time was filled with vibrant colors: the red and pink hues of the traditional incense bundles of the Tay people neatly arranged on the stalls, the indigo and brocade colors of the stalls selling ethnic clothing... all blended together to create a lively spring scene. For the people here, going to the market is not just about buying and selling, but also an opportunity to "enjoy" the market, meet, chat, and catch up after a year of hard work.

In the markets leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), people often bring yeast to sell so that customers can buy it to make Tet wine.

In a corner of the market, Mrs. Gia Thi Ly, a resident of Nam Cuong commune, carefully rearranges her colorful brocade hats while busily arranging traditional cakes made by her family. On a small wooden table, everything from glutinous rice cakes and puffed rice cakes to simple local treats is neatly displayed. While selling hats to customers, she shared: "During the market days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), I often bring brocade hats to sell because it's cold and people buy a lot. Besides that, I also have some traditional cakes and puffed rice cakes... I have a little bit of everything, mainly just to make the end-of-year market more lively."

Sending hope for the new spring.

The highlight of the highland market in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) is the stalls selling lush green dong leaves – an indispensable ingredient for wrapping banh chung (traditional rice cakes) for the traditional Tet holiday. Carefully selected bundles of dong leaves, neatly stacked in piles, attract women to stop and choose. Quickly tying up stacks of leaves still damp with morning dew, Mr. Trieu Huu Quang, from Bo Pja village, Quang Bach commune, quickly counts the number of leaves he has sold. With a cheerful expression, he shared: "I've sold 28 bundles since this morning; people buy a lot of dong leaves near Tet."

The atmosphere of the Tet market wouldn't be complete without the sight of plump, well-fed capons with sleek feathers, kept in bamboo cages. Capons from the highlands have long been a symbol of good fortune and abundance on the Tet feast table, due to their fragrant, firm meat and careful traditional rearing.

In addition, the market also sells typical cakes of the highland people such as black sticky rice cake, khẩu sli, gio cake... Each type of cake has its own unique flavor and meaning, creating the distinctive taste of Tet for the people of the highlands. Amidst those stalls overflowing with goods, there are some stalls that display only one type of product.

Fabric stalls at the markets are always the most popular among buyers.

Mr. Mac Chi Son, a resident of Cho Ra commune, traveled nearly fifty kilometers to sell his goods at Nam Cuong commune market. Sitting beside a sack of finely ground pepper, the pungent aroma spreading through the cold air, Mr. Son explained while selling to customers: "I only sell pepper at this market because people use more spices during Tet (Lunar New Year), so they buy a lot."

The market held just before Tet (Lunar New Year) not only brings a lively and bustling atmosphere but also provides an opportunity for everyone to clearly feel the breath of spring and the warmth of human connection in the highlands. With banana leaves, capons, traditional cakes, and countless vibrant colors, the market is not just a place for exchanging goods but also a place to evoke joy, connection, and hope for a new year full of luck and happiness.

Every spring, this culturally rich atmosphere evokes feelings of nostalgia and longing in those who visit the market. For the people of the mountainous regions, the highland Tet markets have long been an indispensable part of their spiritual life, a familiar sign that spring is drawing near.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202601/phien-cho-bao-hieu-xuan-ve-1692e08/