The end of the year and the beginning of Tet is also the time when the bustling atmosphere fills Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street. The shops here are busy preparing very early to display a variety of decorative items, serving the upcoming Lunar New Year season. This place is not only a shopping destination but also an ideal address for supplying and distributing wholesale to small traders in districts and towns in the city and some neighboring localities.
Considered the "capital" of Tet decorations, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street Tet market is the largest and most anticipated destination for Saigon people.
The bustle of this street starts early in the morning and lasts until late at night. In addition to shopping, many tourists and locals also flock here to visit, take photos and enjoy the special atmosphere on the earliest street to welcome Tet in Saigon.
This year's Tet decoration products are diverse in design and material.
Thousands of handmade decorative items are sold here at extremely affordable prices, from lucky money envelopes and tiny hanging strings costing just a few thousand dong, to other goods with prices ranging from a few tens of thousands to a few hundred depending on size and sophistication.
In addition to traditional decorative items such as string lights, parallel sentences, decorative bamboo, lucky money envelopes, etc., many modern innovative designs are also popular.
Le Minh (35 years old, District 5) shared: "Every year I stop by here to buy a few items to decorate for Tet. Although the economy is more difficult this year, decorating the house is indispensable. Having the Tet atmosphere in the house makes the new year more fun."
The dragon is the mascot of 2024 and is available in many beautiful designs.
Walking through a few stores, Ms. Ha (27 years old, District 3) said: "In Saigon, just going to this street is enough to feel Tet. I usually go to look at the stores first, then decide which one to buy. This year, the items are not as many as previous years, but the designs are more diverse and the prices are more affordable."
The shops are always bustling with buyers and sellers.
These days, many tourists also choose to stroll around Cho Lon, visit the bustling street with bright Tet colors to fully enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional Chinese Tet market - a typical cultural feature of Saigon.
Uncle Hung - a calligraphy artist for more than 20 years on Hai Thuong Lan Ong street.
Decorative items are available in all designs.
A corner of Hai Thuong Lan Ong street.
