The market is held only once a year.
Every year during the Lunar New Year, Ha Doi village (Tien Lang commune) bustles with activity at the Giai Market, one of the unique cultural events of the locality at the beginning of spring. Held on the morning of the second day of the first lunar month each year in the grounds of Ha Doi Temple, the Tien Lang Giai Market is not only a vibrant trading place but also a sacred space where people entrust their wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year. Unlike other busy markets, this market has a special atmosphere, both lively and sacred.
From dawn, the market opens with stalls selling all kinds of goods, mainly local produce. From offerings, lucky bags of rice and salt, bunches of vegetables, fish, to knives, hoes, and children's toys... displayed along both sides of the road leading to the temple courtyard. After the temple ceremony, locals and tourists stroll around the stalls, buying whatever they like with the hope of having good luck throughout the year. Mr. Pham Van Su from Tien Lang commune said that people come here not only to shop, but also to participate in rituals to pray for peace and offer incense at Ha Temple, one of the five sacred temples of ancient Tien Lang.
According to local beliefs, each item bought and sold at the market carries the meaning of praying for divine blessings for a peaceful new year, a bountiful harvest, and family happiness. Participating in the Giải market is believed to ward off bad luck and welcome good fortune and health. Not only locals, but also many tourists from other places come to the Giải market to pray for good luck for their families and work. This is an opportunity for people to participate in spiritual rituals and pray for peace in the new year.
According to the village elders, the Giải market is held in the courtyard of the Hà Đới temple on the morning of the 2nd day of the first lunar month every year as a festival to commemorate General Trần Quốc Thành, the patron saint of the two villages of Hà Đới and Ngọc Động, Tiên Thanh commune, Tiên Lãng district (formerly). The market is open from early morning until nearly noon. Because it's a market for good luck, sellers don't overcharge, and buyers don't haggle.
In recent years, the Giải Tiên Lãng market has been restored by the local government. Besides the traditional ceremonies, the activities now include traditional opera performances and Buddhist rituals. As a result, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the market is not only known for its trading activities but also for its folk games and traditional sports such as tug-of-war and volleyball. These games not only bring a joyful atmosphere to the festival but also contribute to preserving the local folk cultural values.
Ensuring safety
According to Pham Thi Ha Phuong, Head of the Culture Department of Tien Lang commune, to ensure the safety of the festival, the commune's People's Committee and the Ha Doi Temple Management Board held meetings to assign tasks starting from the end of 2025. In addition to arranging locations for the ceremonial and festive parts, including activities such as incense offerings, drumming to open the festival, Buddhist rituals for peace, and traditional opera performances, the organizing committee also arranged an area for people to buy and sell goods at the market.
The People's Committee of the commune assigned the commune's police force to coordinate with village heads and the commune's Youth Union to arrange free parking for residents and tourists, while also reminding and educating people to raise awareness of ensuring security and order, and preventing fires when participating in buying, selling, and cooking activities at the market.
The Giải Tiên Lãng Market is a unique cultural festival, a blend of religious beliefs, commerce, and traditional folk values. More than just a spring market, it's an opportunity for people to express their reverence and pray for a peaceful and prosperous new year. Rituals at the Hà Đới Temple, along with activities seeking good fortune and folk games, create a solemn yet vibrant festival atmosphere. With each passing market season, this cultural beauty continues to be preserved, spread, and become an attractive destination for visitors from near and far.
THU HANG - THIEN LONGSource: https://baohaiphong.vn/ron-rang-cho-giai-cau-may-dau-xuan-536110.html
