Traditional markets have long been an indispensable part of Vietnamese life. Every time Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives, these rural Tet markets become even more crowded and bustling. People come here not only to shop for goods but also to experience the unique flavors of Tet.
People choose to buy pomelos at the Thuong Cuu market in Thanh Son district.
In Thuong Cuu commune, Thanh Son district, 94% of the population are ethnic minorities. Like other traditional markets, Thuong Cuu market is held on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 26th of the lunar calendar. From over 4 am, Thuong Cuu market is bustling with lively chatter and laughter. Besides selling local specialties and agricultural products from neighboring areas such as brocade, forest honey, various cakes, sticky rice, rice, corn, potatoes, cassava, wild vegetables, seeds, sour bamboo shoots, etc., Thuong Cuu market also offers a diverse range of stalls selling clothing, household goods, tools for labor and production, livestock, and seedlings.
Green bananas and fresh vegetables are among the most popular items sold at the market, catering to the needs of people performing traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) worship rituals.
In recent years, thanks to the active development of production, fruit tree cultivation, forestry, and livestock farming, the lives of the people have become increasingly prosperous. The volume of goods consumed at each market session has also increased. To ensure the safety of shoppers, the local militia is deployed to maintain security, order, and traffic safety at each market session. In addition, Thuong Cuu commune regularly educates and reminds traders and residents to supply goods that meet food safety and hygiene standards.
Mr. Ha Van Hoan, head of the market management team, said: “Most of the goods sold at the market are handmade by the people themselves, from a few bunches of bananas, pomelos, betel leaves, or betel nuts harvested from their home gardens. Sometimes it's a steamer made from tree trunks, or baskets and sieves woven by the people themselves brought to the market to sell. People go to the market not only to buy and sell but also to socialize, exchange, and share stories about their lives. This place is also an invisible thread that helps to bring the community closer together.”
Chrysanthemums and gladioli of all colors are selected by people at Dau Market.
Betel leaves and areca nuts are popular items that people buy in large quantities at traditional markets during the end of the year.
Currently, the province has nearly 200 rural markets. In recent years, with the development of digital technology, people's lives have become more convenient, but this has not diminished the vibrancy of these rural markets. Right in the heart of Viet Tri city, Dau Market is mentioned by locals with a sense of familiarity and closeness. The old Dau Market used to be located on the banks of the Lo River on Mo Cu Hill, but it has now moved to Tran Phu Street, Duu Lau Ward, and still retains its name. The surrounding area boasts thriving handicraft production with many villages specializing in agricultural product processing, making Dau Market a lively place with bustling buyers and sellers. Villagers from surrounding areas such as Hung Lo, Phuong Lau, and Kim Duc still bring their produce to the market to sell, including vegetable seedlings, seeds, agricultural products, food, agricultural tools, handicrafts, and more.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh from 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 emerged, but Dau Market is always bustling with customers. Every year in the twelfth lunar month, people's purchasing power increases significantly, as many families prepare for the Lunar New Year.”
Stepping into the Dầu market on the eve of Tet, you'll find countless small stalls neatly arranged, stocked with a full range of consumer goods and food items. From technology products to homegrown produce—vegetables, fruits, banana leaves, rice, beans, pickled onions, everything is available. The flower section is ablaze with vibrant colors, from red roses and yellow chrysanthemums to the rich hues of peach blossoms and peonies. At the far end of the market, the sounds of chicken, duck, and goose vendors, and the splashing of fish in tanks... all create the lively atmosphere of a traditional Tet market in the heart of the city.
Although modern life is gradually fading the charm of traditional rural markets, every Tet holiday, from the elderly to the children, everyone eagerly goes to the market. Some rush to buy peach blossoms to decorate their homes, others buy bundles of bamboo strips and banana leaves to wrap banh chung (traditional rice cakes). Children excitedly follow their parents to choose new clothes... All of this combines to create a joyful and lively atmosphere. As a spring outing destination, these rural markets also remind people to connect with their roots and appreciate the beautiful traditional culture of the nation.
Thu Giang
Source: https://baophutho.vn/sac-mau-cho-que-nbsp-226784.htm
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