We visited Mang Den market (T'Mang Deeng village market) on the second day of our trip here. At first glance, we thought this was a complex built for tourists to stay, or like small restaurants inside a complex of communal houses built interspersed in the pine forest. Once inside, we realized that these communal houses and thatched houses are business stalls of people in Kon Plong district.
Mang Den market gate (T'Mang Deeng).
Admittedly, the design of this market is very impressive. Almost all the materials used for construction are from nature or close to nature. The cutting of trees or the impact on the surrounding environment to build these communal houses is minimized. Therefore, entering here even when it is crowded, you still feel cool and comfortable because you walk in the shade of the pine hills. In addition, the businesses here - representing 9 communes and Mang Den town - are all using environmentally friendly biodegradable plastic bags.
The atmosphere in the market is like in a community eco-tourism area.
Sharing with Travellive, Tran Nhut Huy (24 years old, Vinh Long), currently in charge of communications for T'Mang Deeng Market, said: "At first, it was difficult to call on people to participate in the market, but we tried to mobilize villagers to build and develop stalls together, creating a chain of tourism products that visitors can experience when coming to Mang Den. If the products are not sold out, they will be bought back for continued use to both ensure costs for the people and make the most of clean and safe supplies."
A GATHERING PLACE FOR FRESH PRODUCTS FROM THE MIDLANDS AND HIGHLANDS
T'Mang Deeng market opens before our eyes with countless delicious dishes beautifully arranged along with the fragrant aroma throughout the pine hill campus. The market takes place on 2 weekends at the pine hill campus, Hung Vuong street - Mang Den town. Entering here, we feel like we are entering a community tourism area rather than a regular market, warmly welcomed by the people of Kon Plong district. There are up to 30 booths of communes, towns and organizations, individuals doing business in the district, selling OCOP products, clean agricultural products, specialties, traditional craft village products.
A place where delicious food converges.
with safe local products.
Surprisingly, although it has only been in operation for a month, it feels like this market has been operating for a long time because of the connection and neatness in the activities. From the way the communal houses are built, the arrangement of the stalls... to the welcoming of visitors to experience the products, everything is done methodically and organized. The further inside, the more attracted by the joyful, bustling atmosphere and the intoxicating aroma of the dishes mixed with the seductive scent of the mountains and forests.
People stir kơ nia seeds continuously over a big fire, the smoke billowing looks very impressive.
Mang Den market in the afternoon.
Smoke drifted in streams, merging with the sunlight streaming through the pine trees.
On this side, the women were attentively roasting sweet potatoes, cassava... On the other side, the women were enthusiastically roasting kơ nia seeds, the smoke billowing, creating a thin strip of fragrance lingering in the sunlight. While looking on in amazement, we were "pulled" by the hospitable hostess. She brought out a tray of freshly roasted kơ nia seeds, offering each of us a handful. Kơ nia is a typical nut of this land, purely natural, safe for health. We slowly enjoyed this nut, with a characteristic fatty, nutty aroma, unlike the familiar nuts such as macadamia or almonds... Then suddenly we felt warm in the simplicity and generosity of a chilly afternoon in the midland highlands.
The baby is sleeping soundly in the carrier.
MEETING POINT OF TRADITIONAL CULTURAL VALUES
Not only is it a place where tourists can choose to buy local specialties, clean and safe products, this is also a place where tourists can enjoy cultural activities. "Currently, cultural performances, gongs, and xoan dances from indigenous people are performed on holidays. In the near future, there will be performances with strong cultural identity from artisans," said Tran Nhat Huy.
Art performances and gong dances will become increasingly popular at Mang Den market.
In addition, T'Mang Deeng market is also a place to recreate traditional crafts such as weaving, loincloth making or brocade weaving... Visitors coming to play and stroll around the market can also see people diligently making brocade products. Besides, you can exchange culture with everyone, participate in folk games, practice wrapping cakes, weaving in the traditional way.
The old lady is carefully weaving brocade at the market.
Discussing the development orientation in the near future, Huy said: "In the next 1-2 years, the market will aim to develop a variety of typical products in cuisine, medicinal herbs, green agricultural products, as well as handicrafts associated with national cultural identity such as brocade, loincloths... In addition, there will be more workshop locations in the market, connecting major festival events. For example, in January 2024, we will combine with the Mang Den Adventure Sustainable Series race as a relay point and the end of the journey."
