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The most famous is undoubtedly Hang Luoc flower market, a place of countless shades of red and purple. No one knows exactly when the market opened, only that it has become an integral part of Hanoi. Only by jostling and pushing each other, constantly apologizing to those next to you, can you truly feel the excitement and vibrancy of spring.
Hanoians come here not only to admire and buy flowers, but also to relive beautiful memories of a not-so-distant past, when they would happily follow their mothers and grandmothers to admire bouquets of peonies, chrysanthemums, violets, gladioli… wrapped in simple, humble, dark green leaves. They remember a time when they followed their grandfathers and fathers to choose individual peach blossom branches, kumquat trees, or small pots of daffodils to respectfully offer to their ancestors' altars.
As the year draws to a close, hearing about the Tet market fills my heart with a sense of anticipation and longing.
Most noteworthy are the peach blossoms from Northern Vietnam. After all, what would Tet (Vietnamese New Year) be without them! Look at those pink and light pink peach blossoms, their delicate buds displaying their beauty, adorning the misty, drizzly atmosphere, creating a sacred yet tranquil springtime ambiance. Nowadays, people even sell colorful artificial branches. These tiny flowers don't grow from the earth but sprout and bloom from the skillful hands of talented artisans.
The flower market is like a symphony of colors. Alongside the flowers are the vibrant hues of the crowds of people shopping for the spring festival. Their colorful clothes and scarves are equally captivating and alluring, blending together to create a lively picture of beautiful colors against the gray backdrop of the weather.
The flower market is like a symphony of colors. Alongside the flowers are the vibrant hues of the crowds of people shopping for the spring festival.
The Tet market is not just about flowers. Here you can find everything for a fulfilling Tet celebration, from material to spiritual needs. There's dried bamboo shoots, pork skin, cakes, jams, tea, medicine, new flower arrangements, and even new clothes for children and the elderly…
Humbled on a street corner is a stall selling colorful paper offerings and incense. During Tet (Vietnamese New Year), the scent of incense and the sight of its smoke warm the heart, bringing a strange sense of peace and tranquility.
And how could we forget the simple mats, barely big enough to hold the small tables of the old calligraphers? The characters, like phoenixes dancing and dragons soaring on the crimson paper, embodying countless wishes of those seeking the calligraphy, truly brought Tet closer than ever before.
For the people of Hanoi, the Tet market seems to never get old. On the contrary, it always remains fresh, charming, and full of mystery, waiting for us every spring.
No one knows exactly when Hang Luoc Flower Market originated. All that is known is that it has existed for a very long time and has become an indispensable part of Hanoi's life. The oldest images of this flower market were recorded by the French in the early 20th century. The market only convenes once a year, and is busiest for seven days, from the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month until the afternoon of the thirtieth.
Article by: Pham Duc Anh
Photos: Dan Toan, Duc Anh
