The colors of the rural market

Traditional markets have long been an indispensable part of Vietnamese life. Every time Tet arrives and spring returns, rural Tet markets become more crowded and bustling. People visit these markets not only to shop but also to experience the unique flavors of Tet.

People are buying grapefruits at Thuong Cuu Market, Thanh Son District.

Thuong Cuu Commune, Thanh Son District, is home to a population that is 94% ethnic minorities. Like many other periodic markets, Thuong Cuu Market meets on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 26th of the lunar calendar. From as early as 4 AM, the market is bustling with laughter and chatter. The market not only sells local and regional specialties such as brocade, wild honey, cakes, sticky rice, rice, corn, potatoes, cassava, ferns, seeds, and pickled bamboo shoots but also features a diverse range of stalls selling clothing, household goods, farming tools, seeds, and seedlings.

Green bananas, fresh vegetables, and fruits are commonly sold at the market to meet the needs of traditional Tet worship rituals.

In recent years, thanks to efforts in production, fruit tree cultivation, afforestation, and livestock farming, people’s lives have significantly improved. The volume of goods sold at each market has also increased. To ensure the safety of shoppers, local authorities deploy militia forces at each market to maintain security, public order, and traffic safety. In addition, Thuong Cuu Commune regularly educates traders and shoppers on the importance of food hygiene and safety.

Mr. Ha Van Hoan, Head of the Market Management Team, said: “Most of the goods sold at the market are locally produced by the people themselves, from bunches of bananas and grapefruits to bundles of betel or areca nuts picked from their gardens. Sometimes, tree-trunk steamers for sticky rice, baskets, and trays are also brought to the market for sale. People visit the market not only to buy and sell but also to exchange goods, engage in discussions, and share stories about life. This also serves as an invisible thread that strengthens the bonds within the village and neighborhood.”

Chrysanthemums and gladiolus in various colors are popular choices at Dau Market.

Betel and areca nuts are among the most sought-after items at traditional markets towards the end of the year.

Currently, there are nearly 200 rural markets across the province. With the advancement of digital technology, people’s lives have become more convenient. However, this has not diminished the vibrancy of rural markets. Located in the heart of Viet Tri City, Dau Market is known for its warm and familiar atmosphere. The Dau market used to be held right on the bank of the Lo River on Mo Cu Hill; it has now moved to Tran Phu Street in Duu Lau Ward and still bears the name Dau market. Around the market area, handicraft production activities have developed with many agricultural processing villages. The Dau market is also bustling, with buyers and sellers bustling. Villagers from surrounding areas such as Hung Lo, Phuong Lau, and Kim Duc still bring their products to the market to sell, with vegetable varieties, seeds, agricultural products, food, agricultural tools, handicrafts, etc.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh in Duu Lau ward shared, “I have been selling at the market for nearly 30 years. In recent years, many new forms of sales have appeared, but the DaU market is always crowded with customers. Every year in December, people’s purchasing power increases, because many families prepare for Tet holiday".

On the eve of Tet, entering Dau Market, one can see countless small stalls neatly arranged next to each other, offering a full range of consumer goods and food. From technology products to homegrown products such as vegetables, tubers, fruits, dong leaves, rice, beans, and 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, the sounds of stalls selling chickens, ducks, and geese; the sound of fish splashing in the jacuzzi... All have created a lively tone of the Tet market with a strong rural character in the heart of the city.

Although modern life has gradually faded the impression of the rural market, every time Tet comes, from the elderly to children, everyone is eager to go to the market; some take the opportunity to buy peach branches to decorate their houses, and others buy bundles of strings and bundles of dong leaves to wrap Chung cakes. The children also excitedly followed their parents to choose new clothes... All of this resonated together, making the atmosphere joyful and bustling. Serving as a spring rendezvous, rural markets also serve as a reminder for people to return to their roots and cherish the nation’s rich traditional cultural heritage.

Thu Giang