Binh Dong Wharf, once known as the busiest trading center in Saigon - Cho Lon in the previous decades. With the characteristics of river life, boats play an extremely important role as a means of transportation, housing and living place for people. Binh Dong Wharf carries important economic, historical, cultural and architectural values, and is an indispensable part of the cultural picture of old Saigon.
Every time Tet comes, Binh Dong wharf becomes more bustling than ever with people from all over coming here to buy Tet flowers.
Every time Tet comes, Binh Dong wharf becomes more bustling than ever with people from all over coming here to buy Tet flowers. Hundreds of boats carrying flowers and ornamental plants from the provinces pour in, creating a colorful picture. A variety of ornamental plants with all sizes and shapes, meeting all the needs of the people.
A variety of flowers and ornamental plants in bloom at Binh Dong wharf.
Yellow apricot blossoms on Binh Dong wharf.
Merchants mostly come from the provinces of the Southwest such as Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Soc Trang... Boats are their second home, with interesting stories of everyday life. On each boat, the boat is filled with fruits, flowers, agricultural products, adding to the brilliant atmosphere of Tet. Small boats mainly carry small flower pots such as chrysanthemums, marigolds, bougainvillea... attracting tourists to visit and shop. Large boats carry apricot trees, kumquat trees... with rich shapes, bringing a unique beauty to Binh Dong wharf.
Boats carrying yellow apricot flowers docked.
Each boat is filled with ornamental plants for Tet season.
Thanh Dat (Photographer in Ho Chi Minh City) confided: "I see simple farmers who work all year round in the countryside, and at the end of the year they pack their bags and head to the city, some of them carrying their small children, the children growing up on the worn-out but extremely warm shirts of the farmers. I also see the calloused hands of the men and women carrying pots of flowers, the women and women meticulously trimming each branch and flower petal, and in those eyes sparkles the hope for a favorable trading season."
Crowds of people visit the flower market at Binh Dong wharf.
During the last days of the year, Thanh Dat also took the opportunity to wander around the flower markets in the city to admire and take memorable pictures of the bustling days before Tet. From the middle of December, flower markets everywhere were bustling to open for sale. Every time he passed a street corner, the brilliant colors of flowers lit up the streets at the end of the year.
The "On the wharf, under the boat" flower market at Binh Dong wharf this year attracted a large number of people and tourists to visit because of its many new features.
Every time I pass a street corner, I see bright flowers.
And the fruit orchards of the Western people cannot be absent.
The highlight of this year's flower market is the red ceramic art street, bringing products from the traditional ceramic village that has existed for more than 100 years in Vinh Long. Not only that, the flower space of Da Lat city and the common houses introduce many unique flowers from different regions, such as Cho Lach district (Ben Tre), yellow dragon fruit (Vinh Long), pink grapefruit (Dong Thap)...
The flower market "On the wharf, under the boat" has contributed to the culture of old Saigon.
The miniature landscapes along Ben Binh Dong are also decorated with a strong Tet atmosphere to serve the needs of sightseeing and taking photos of people, such as the calligraphy street, the flower street of love, booths introducing typical regional products or the experience of wrapping and cooking banh tet, cuisine...
Coming to Binh Dong wharf during Tet, visitors not only immerse themselves in the bustling trading atmosphere but also have the opportunity to experience the unique river culture of old Saigon. Visitors can stroll on the wharf, watch the bustling boats, buy beautiful flower pots to decorate their homes or enjoy the specialties of the Southwest region during this occasion.
Bring Tet home.
