Colors of the countryside market

Traditional markets have long been an indispensable part of Vietnamese people's lives. Every time Tet comes, spring returns, the rural Tet markets become more crowded and bustling. People come here not only to shop but also to feel the very special flavors of Tet.

People choose to buy grapefruit at Thuong Cuu market, Thanh Son district.

Thuong Cuu Commune, Thanh Son District has 94% of ethnic minorities living. Like many other markets held on scheduled days, Thuong Cuu market is held on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, 26th of the lunar calendar. From more than 4am, Thuong Cuu market is bustling, filled with laughter. Not only selling specialties and agricultural products typical of the locality and neighboring areas such as: Brocade, wild honey, cakes, sticky rice, rice, corn, potatoes, cassava, fern, seeds, pickled bamboo shoots,... Thuong Cuu market is also diverse with stalls selling clothes, household goods, production tools, seeds, seedlings...

Green bananas and fresh vegetables are popular items sold at the market to serve people's traditional Tet worship rituals.

In recent years, thanks to the active development of production, fruit tree planting, forest planting, animal husbandry... people's lives have become more and more prosperous. The amount of goods consumed in each market session has also increased. To ensure the safety of people shopping, at each market session, the locality sends militia forces to participate in maintaining security, order and traffic safety. In addition, Thuong Cuu commune also regularly propagates and reminds traders and people to supply goods that ensure food hygiene and safety.

Mr. Ha Van Hoan - Head of the market management team said: "Most of the goods sold at the market are made by the people themselves, from a few bunches of bananas, grapefruits, bunches of betel leaves or areca nuts picked from their gardens. Sometimes, sticky rice steamers made from tree trunks, baskets, and trays woven by the people are also brought to the market to sell. People go to the market not only to buy and sell but also to interact, exchange, and share stories in life. This place is also the invisible thread that helps bring the village and neighborhood closer together."

Chrysanthemums and gladiolus of all colors are chosen by people at Dau market.

Betel and areca nuts are items that people buy a lot at the end of the year at traditional markets.

Currently, the whole province has nearly 200 rural markets. In recent years, digital technology has developed, people's lives have become more convenient, but that does not mean that rural markets have become less bustling. Right in the heart of Viet Tri city, Dau market is mentioned by people with closeness and familiarity. Dau market used to be held right on the bank of Lo river on Mo Cu hill, now moved to Tran Phu street, Duu Lau ward and still bears the name Dau market. Around the market area, handicraft production activities have developed with many agricultural processing villages, Dau market is also bustling, with buyers and sellers bustling. Villagers in surrounding areas such as Hung Lo, Phuong Lau, Kim Duc still bring their products to the market to sell with vegetables, seeds, agricultural products, food, agricultural tools, handicrafts, etc.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh in Duu Lau ward shared: “I have been selling goods at the market for nearly 30 years. In recent years, many new forms of selling have appeared, but Dau market is always bustling with customers. Every year in December, people's purchasing power increases because many families prepare for the Lunar New Year.”

Entering the Dau market space on the eve of Tet, there are countless small stalls neatly arranged next to each other with a full range of consumer goods and food. From technology products to homegrown products such as vegetables, tubers, fruits, dong leaves, rice, beans, pickled onions, everything is available. The flower area is colorful with red roses, yellow chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, dahlias, etc. At the end of the market, there are the sounds of stalls selling chickens, ducks, geese, the sound of fish splashing in the jacuzzi... All of these create a lively atmosphere of the rural Tet market in the heart of the city.

Although modern life has gradually faded the impression of the countryside market, every time Tet comes, from the elderly to the children, everyone is eager to go to the market. Some people rush to buy peach branches to decorate their houses, others buy bundles of bamboo strings and dong leaves to wrap Chung cakes. Children also excitedly follow their parents to choose new clothes... All of this resonates together, making the atmosphere joyful and bustling. As a spring destination, the countryside markets are also a place to remind people to return to their roots with the beautiful traditional cultural features of the nation.

Thu Giang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/sac-mau-cho-que-nbsp-226784.htm