"Slow living" at Hang Luoc flower market

VHO - Hang Luoc Flower Market is the oldest flower market in Hanoi, where each peach blossom tree, kumquat tree, or narcissus pot is not just a product, but a bridge connecting the past with the present, a place where Hanoians come to "slow down" amidst the traditional Tet atmosphere.

Hang Luoc Flower Market is Hanoi's oldest flower market, "awakening" only once a year to tell the story of a century ago.

In the heart of a rapidly transforming capital city, filled with skyscrapers and a bustling pace of life, there is a street that awakens only once a year to tell the story of a century ago.

Established about a century ago, Hang Luoc flower market is closely associated with the formation of the 36 streets and wards – the heart of bustling commerce in Thang Long (Hanoi).

Unlike modern wholesale flower markets that operate year-round, Hang Luoc market only appears once a year, lasting from the 15th day of the 12th lunar month until just before New Year's Eve.

This annual market is where Hanoians come to "slow down," to rediscover the flavors of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) of yesteryear.

The flower market, nestled amidst modern buildings, still maintains its own unique rhythm—calm, measured, and full of subtlety, reflecting the character of the people of ancient Thang An.

When the peach blossoms begin to dot the small streets leading to Hang Ma with pink buds, Hanoians understand that spring has truly arrived.

Hang Luoc flower market is not as ostentatious in scale as Quang An, nor is it as bustling with traffic as the newly emerging satellite flower markets.

It maintains its own rhythm, calm, measured, and full of subtlety, just like the character of the people of ancient Thang An.

Hanoians go to the flower market to buy flowers, but in reality, they are rediscovering a part of their heritage.

At Hang Luoc flower market, people go to buy flowers, but in reality, they are rediscovering a part of a cultural heritage. Peach blossoms – the flower symbolizing elegance in Hanoi's Tet flower-growing tradition – always occupy a dominant position.

With their abundant blooms, the peach blossoms, with their distinctive pink hues, are particularly well-suited to the tranquil atmosphere of traditional tube-shaped houses.

At this market, one can see the remnants of an old pastime making a strong comeback right here.

Hang Luoc Flower Market, where each peach blossom tree, kumquat tree, or narcissus pot is not just a product, but a bridge connecting the past with the present.

The meticulously trimmed daffodils, showcasing their pristine white roots and delicate fragrance, or the slender yet sturdy white plum blossoms (Prunus mume), all attract special attention.

Buyers don't just look at the size of the flower, but also at its "form," its "spirit," and the story that the flower grower and caregiver have embedded within it.

Choosing a beautiful peach blossom branch or a kumquat tree with abundant fruit (including ripe and unripe fruit, flowers, and buds) has become a cultural ritual passed down from generation to generation in families in the old quarter.

The charm of young women shopping at Hang Luoc flower market evokes memories of Hanoi girls from many years ago.

What makes Hang Luoc flower market the most special place for memories is the feeling of slow living it offers.

Amidst rapid urbanization, where everything can be bought with a tap of a screen, strolling along Hang Luoc Street offers a completely different experience.

Elderly people come here not necessarily to buy goods, but to relive the Tet atmosphere of the old days.

With everything available for purchase at the touch of a screen, strolling down Hang Luoc Street offers a completely different experience.

They strolled through familiar stalls, admiring the pink blossoms of peach trees and the yellow of kumquats, and leisurely chatting about how to care for the plants. For them, it was about enjoying the space and the time.

Images of elderly men contemplating beside bonsai peach trees, or young people in flowing ao dai dresses capturing spring moments alongside kumquat trees laden with fruit, have created a multifaceted urban landscape.

Elderly people come to Hang Luoc flower market not necessarily to buy goods, but to relive the Tet atmosphere of the old days.

These elaborately trimmed daffodil pots, showcasing their pristine white roots, are sold to discerning customers who possess a keen sense of taste and a deep understanding of daffodil care.

There, people are not in a hurry. They walk to breathe in the cool air, to feel the unique atmosphere of Hanoi's streets, and to let their hearts calm down before the arrival of the new year.

The enduring existence of Hang Luoc flower market through countless historical changes is a testament to the vibrant life of Hanoi's urban culture.

This market serves as a "milestone," reminding us of an elegant and sophisticated Hanoi that always knows how to cherish its roots.

Each flower branch brought home from Hang Luoc market not only carries the colors of spring but also the essence of the city streets.

Each flower branch brought home from Hang Luoc market not only carries the colors of spring, but also the breath of the streets, the story of a city that has gone through many changes but still retains its unique cultural essence.

In the heart of the capital city, Tet remains complete and heartwarming when spaces like Hang Luoc flower market still exist, offering opportunities for remembrance, affection, and a slow-paced experience each spring.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/song-cham-o-cho-hoa-hang-luoc-204395.html