Located in the middle of the gentle Hau River, Tan Loc islet (Tan Loc ward, Can Tho city) appears like a green silk strip with lush fruit orchards. For many years, in this land, favorable weather, accreted by fertile alluvium, has often been called "green oasis" or "green lungs" of Tay Do by the people.
However, what makes people remember Tan Loc is not only that, but also the harmonious feelings in the countryside. During the Binh Ngo Lunar New Year 2026, when we had the opportunity to visit the island, we also felt more clearly that genuineness.
First, just stepping onto the ferry terminal can feel the warmth of the ticket inspector, the smiles of old farmers or housewives going to the market. This image usually appears in the early morning, because from about 8 - 9 am, almost everyone goes home to eat rice and then goes to the garden.
According to the sharing of many middle-aged people, for a long time people have formed a self-sufficient lifestyle, each household can grow crops and raise livestock. Fish in the river, vegetables in the garden or chickens in the coop are all main food sources. People only go to the market to buy essential items.
The exchange of products with each other for convenience has formed a "village-to-hamlet" trading style, simple but solid.
Mr. Le Van Tam (Tan Loc ward) expressed: "Brothers and sisters on the island love each other, if there is anything, they go back and forth, affectionately help each other. Trading and exchanging, just negotiate reasonably to please both sides".
Having the opportunity to visit Mr. Nguyen Van Long's house, a person with a good reputation in planting ornamental plants in Tan Loc, we truly felt that rustic trading style. Accordingly, unlike large business flower gardens serving traders, Mr. Long's garden mainly serves neighbors.
In previous months, neighbors came to him to order marigold flowers to display in the house for Tet. Finalizing the number of customers who ordered and planting reserves, Mr. Long meticulously cared for about 300 marigold pots to supply to the people. The special thing is that he carefully wrote the buyer's name and placed it in a small nylon bag to hang on the tree trunk, avoiding confusion.
Although the work is somewhat hard, and then keeping track of the day and month so that flowers bloom at the right time, I feel very happy. I can both show off my talent in planting and pruning, and help people have satisfactory flower pots to decorate for Tet without having to go anywhere far" - Mr. Long confided.
Interestingly, although the flowers have bloomed profusely and the names have been hanging, Mr. Long still freely takes care of them and waters them every day. People in the neighborhood just leisurely stop by to bring flowers back when the family is free or has finished cleaning the house. Without urging, without fear of losing a part, because faith has been "hanging" on the flower branches.
Ms. Dao Thi Phuong (Tan Loc ward) shared: "Buying here I am very reassured, flowers are carefully cared for, so they are much more durable and beautiful than going to the market to buy from traders and then having to laboriously transport them across the ferry".
This village-style buying and selling method has solved a rather difficult transportation problem for island residents. Instead of having to jostle on ferries bringing flowers from the center, and then enduring traffic jams, they only need a few minutes of motorbike driving to bring spring home.
Trading activities in Tan Loc islet therefore have no place for fierce bargaining or calculations of gains and losses. It is built on the foundation of understanding and sharing in the current difficult economic context.
