UNIQUE MARKETS IN VIETNAM

It is like other markets in the world. Markets in Vietnam are a place where the buying and selling of goods taking place. Traditional markets, pictures to show routine living, have closely attached Vietnamese life since time immemorial. Especially, unique markets owning their differences, is about to reveal in this article by Nguyen Quang That!

YING - YANG MARKET

The Hades Market is another name of Ying-Yang market in Bac Ninh province which is home of “love duel” – one of eight Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in Vietnam. The market is held in Ó village, Vo Cuong commune taking place once a year on the 4th at night and the 5th in morning of January.

Ying - Yang market at night

Born in 40s AD – the Hai Ba Trung uprising was bitterly going on in that time. Legend has it that, the market place in Ó village used to be a battlefield where thousands of people were killed in battle. That market is a solemn place to pray for releasing of spirits and tranquility of survivors. 

Black chickens and ritual offerings are mostly exchanged in that market without bargaining and counting money. Not only are they happy, but they also feel fortunate whenever they get “fake money or goods”. This is a native notion to express their gratitude towards the deceased and get a happier life in the next year. After ending the unique market, they invite each other for a drink, areca betel and sing some love duets. 

VIENG MARKET

Being another the Hades market in Vietnam, Vieng market is famous for an ancient notion which is to sale “RISK” and buy “LUCK” whenever people go to that market. It is held annually from the afternoon of 7th January to the early afternoon of the next day at Nam Giang town, Nam Truc and Vu Ban district. That is the unique market.

From the entrance of Vieng market

People once believed that going to the Vieng market is to hope for luck only. They take their mind off what they gain and lose in the market, even money and treasured things such as antiques and so on. The market time is for anyone to get good luck and push bad luck away in the coming year.

Colorful gate at Vieng market

Nowadays, various products are bought here, including beef, seeding, decorative trees and so on. Farm tools are the most typical good shown in the market. In Vieng market, it is customary to buy something and take to home for decorating in the New Year. It is a unique culture of Vietnamese people whenever they have a chance to go that Hades Market.

ANTIQUE MARKET IN HANOI

A friendly smile of Vietnamese woman going to the market

Took place in the crossroad of Votive Street, Scale Street, Comb Street and Bronze Street, it is annually held from 20th to 30th of lunar December. You can find out various antique, bronze ware even fake ones.

The market has won many hearts of customers. Not only are there domestic customers, but it also attracts foreign tourists, especially in these days just before Tet traditional holiday.

The typical good in the antique market 

“Seeking antique to decorate on Tet holiday is to both keep the antiquity of Vietnamese house and wish luck in the coming year” a shopkeeper shared.

CHILDREN MARKET

Toy market takes place in Goi Communal house, Dong Hung district, Thai Binh province. That market, the sole one is opened on second day of Lunar New Year annually. what makes it a special market is goods that are almost toy. Therefore, it appeals children whose parents, sister and brother go along them.

Overview of Children Market from the entrance

Goi Market, the local name in Vietnamese, had been for decades when some people sold To He (an traditional toy that kneads colored dough into colored paste animals) for children in commune on New Year’s day.

Children get very excited about making To He

Perhaps, that market is unique existing in Thai Binh province - the land of huge rice fields. Remarkably, shopkeepers do not need to pay taxes and any fee. Therefore, children always get a lower price as a sincere gift of shopkeepers. There is no bargaining, just full of laughter of children in that market where anyone is friendly and warmer. Children in Goi village are enchanted.

Children concentrate on colouring their favorite animals

They have become childhood memories with those who live far home away whenever they miss a simple and tranquil Tet holiday in remote countryside.

BIRD MARKET

People look busy to pick up a caged bird

The name seems to be very attracted with those liking a caged bird as an elegant enjoyment. Nearby the 17 military hospital, that market is located on pavement of Nguyen Huu To Street, Da Nang city in center Vietnam. It is the biggest bird-market in Vietnam with various kinds of bird.

A quiet and boring time of some sellers at the end of the road

In ancient time, keeping a caged bird is an elegant enjoyment of those who are rich and have a high rank in society. Nowadays, when life is getting busier and faster, this activity is more popular in their life. It is the way to relax and get peace in mind. Avoiding to crowded streets and backing to nice sounds of bird, it is all to help you regain spirit as well as enjoy life most.

FOREIGN MARKET SESSION IN HANOI

Located in a remove lane of To Ngoc Van Street, this special market just opens on Saturday weekly from 9h until noon. A harmony between a Vietnamese market’s classical atmosphere and a western market’s novelty and modern is firstly what you feel right after you go there.

Looking from the gate of No.4, lane 67/12, To Ngoc Van Street

Called “Foreign Market”, but it is just within 2 small yards to exchange goods. From 7 am, some shopkeepers come to prepare and the market gets busier when it is opened at 9 am.

A small shop at the corner of the yard

That area has enough aspects like a real western market. Typically, the founder is a foreigner and sellers are mainly foreign people with full of various products which are very western. Vietnamese people are attracted and come there to select some goods for them.

Though there are several shops in the newly formed time, nowadays 20 more shops have worked busily after 4 years in business. They have diverse high quality products ranging from daily goods to luxurious ones. They are shown in a convenient way to select fast and save time.

Foreign children were attracted in this market

You could not only satisfy its quality, but services impress you very much when you go that market. No matter where they are from, no matter what they buy, even whether they can speak Vietnamese language or not. Enthusiastic, friendly and humorous are all I got.

Various kinds of goods were shown there

Products’ origin is well known. You can trust on its safety as well as price. Everything in this market is fine for your life.

Mr. Gérard Gastel’smile, a French in bakery, is a typical example about good service in this market

That market is not merely an exchanging place, but you can go there to communicate and share your feeling. It is also an attraction of Vietnamese students getting chances to improve their English skill because those shopkeepers are very willing to make friend. That makes a special foreign market with Vietnamese people.

CALLIGRAPHY MARKET IN HO CHI MINH CITY

There are many Calligraphy markets in Ho Chi Minh city, namely, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, Nguyen Trai Street and Tran Hung Dao Street. Getting more bustling is from 15th to 30th December according to the lunar calendar. During these days, the well-known market is on Pham Ngoc Thach Street.

A crowded corner of Pham Ngoc Thach Street

It is worth mentioning that 16 shows are very simple with 16 adjacent mats on pavement. Calligraphers are known as “Ong Do” in Vietnamese language who was a former teacher having profound knowledge, in particular good and nice writers.

"Ong Do" are writing Calligraphy

They are in “Ao Dai”-a traditional cloth in the past and sitting on pavement. In the past, they will give some nice words for people as a good luck in coming years. Everything was free with students who love learning and want to become mandarin to help people.

Some students go to the market to get Calligraphy as a luck thing in their study

Nowadays, education system changed totally, there are a few people knowing about this kind of old language and it is considered as a decoration in each family. To pay amount of money as fee are popular to get calligraphy - a fortunate thing in Tet holiday.

The couple are considering their lucky words

Happiness, wealth, longevity, persistence and good heart are popular and lucky letters with Vietnamese notion.  They hope that these things become true in the next year. Importantly, each word has a special significance that will direct their living style. That is why Vietnamese always try their best to have an orientated word in Tet holiday.

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