Green Market - Sowing Seeds of Kindness

One Saturday morning, a small corner of a cafe on Le Loi Street (Phan Rang Ward) became a gathering place for local people and producers to sell agricultural products and specialties. They called it the "Green Market." It wasn't noisy or ostentatious, but the market captivated visitors with its sincerity and a sense of trust built on genuine experiences and real-life stories.

We met through simple things.

“We don’t prioritize scale; we just hope to create a space for connection,” shared Ms. Pham Quoc Phuong My, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Association in the southern region of Khanh Hoa province, as the market began to attract a large crowd. According to her, this is the first market of its kind, organized as a way for members to showcase their products and spread the spirit of responsible consumption. If successful, the model will be maintained monthly, becoming a familiar meeting place.

The Green Market space attracts a large number of people who come to visit and buy agricultural products and local specialties.

With just eight stalls offering nearly 50 products, each stall reveals a unique glimpse into the local production and lifestyle. There, the vendors don't simply sell goods; they share the entire journey of their craft.

Ms. Chau's stall (Xứ Phan brand) is neatly arranged with products such as fish sauce, fish cakes, onions, and garlic – familiar products of this sunny and windy region. Without elaborate advertising, she simply and gently tells the story of how she preserves her craft and flavors. Buyers listen, ask a few more questions, and then nod in approval before choosing their goods. The buying and selling process is natural, more like a conversation than a transaction. "Here, I can ask the producers directly, so I feel more secure," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (Bao An ward) while choosing her products.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are on display, contributing to a welcoming consumer atmosphere at the market.

Local grapes, fruits, and agricultural products are packaged and sold, catering to the convenient shopping needs of locals and tourists.

Another small corner attracted many buyers: baskets of cucumbers, tomatoes, and other produce, each with a note that read: "All proceeds will go to support underprivileged children." These simple items, however, made people pause longer and think more deeply.

At this market, each product seems to have an added layer of meaning. Buyers not only take home food, but also carry with them the feeling that they have contributed a small part to something good. Mr. Tran Minh Hoang, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, said: "I stopped by out of curiosity, but stayed longer because of the feeling: Buying goods to contribute to the community."

Sellers and buyers chat and exchange simple local products, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere at the Green Market.

According to the organizers, a portion of the proceeds from the market will be donated to support children at the Khanh Hoa Provincial Center for Inclusive Education Development, in anticipation of Vietnam's Disabled Persons Day (April 18). The activity is conducted openly and transparently, building trust among participants.

It is this clarity that makes small actions so significant. A bag of vegetables, a bottle of fish sauce, or a few kilograms of fruit… are no longer simply commodities, but become “bridges” connecting hearts.

Promoting a green lifestyle.

For the organizers, the first market is not the destination, but merely the starting point. “We expect this to be a space where consumers can find safe products, and producers can connect with customers in the most intimate way,” said Ms. Pham Quoc Phuong My. Instead of chasing scale or quantity, the model aims for sustainability: maintaining regularity and developing slowly but surely. There, buyers have more reliable choices; sellers have more opportunities for growth; and the community is enriched by positive values ​​accumulated over time.

Locals browse and select clean agricultural products and local specialties in the open, green space of the weekend market.

As the sun rose higher, the market gradually closed, with few customers, but the memories lingered. It was a warm feeling after meaningful encounters. From a small market, seemingly simple things inspired a way of life: more responsible consumption, production more connected to the community, and sharing in the most natural way.

Perhaps the valuable aspect lies not in its scale or profit, but in the way this market sows seeds of kindness – seeds that then quietly sprout and spread in everyday life.

YOUTH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202604/phien-cho-xanh-gieo-mam-tu-te-d31105c/