Approaching the full moon of December, Hang Luoc street again puts on the familiar look of Hanoi spring. Hang Luoc Spring Flower Fair gathers all colors of peach blossoms, kumquats, snow apricots, orchids... stretching along both sides of the street, attracting a large number of people and tourists to visit and shop.
However, according to records, this year's Tet flower market is quieter than in previous years. The amount of flowers brought to the market is assessed to have decreased significantly, the number of booths is less, while early purchasing power has not increased as expected. Many small traders said that people mainly go to the market to see flowers, refer to prices, and the decision to buy is often carefully considered and slower.
Sharing with reporters, Ms. Thuy Linh - owner of an orchid stall at Hang Luoc market - said that the number of customers buying early flowers is quite bleak: "The price of orchids this year ranges from 300,000 to 380,000 VND per pot, the flower vase depends on the size according to customer requirements. There are also special orders, such as orchids priced up to 16 million VND, but the quantity is not large.
In the ornamental kumquat segment, small traders said that this year the tree shape is more cared for, the designs are diverse and beautiful. However, the best-selling item is still small kumquat pots, suitable for townhouse and apartment spaces.
The price of kumquats this year is different from last year, ranging from 280,000 to 350,000 VND for small trees and about 700,000 to 850,000 VND for large trees.
The atmosphere at peach and snow apricot stalls is also not really bustling. Mr. Le Duc Hien - a business household selling early peach blossoms - said that this year's peach market has not changed much compared to previous years: "At this time, customers mainly come to see, not to buy much. Peach prices range from 200,000 to 450,000 VND per tree, depending on shape and type.
Meanwhile, according to Ms. Tho - owner of the Nhat Chi Mai flower stall, the Tet flower market is still early to evaluate. "Usually after December 20th of the lunar calendar, purchasing power is clearer. The price of small Nhat Chi Mai trees is about 500,000 to 1 million VND, while large trees can be up to more than 20 million VND," she said. As for apricot blossoms, due to the characteristic of blooming right on the Lunar New Year, the number of customers buying is usually concentrated in the days near Tet.
Many small traders admit that the biggest pressure still comes from weather and selling time factors. Early or late blooming flowers directly affect consumption capacity.
Despite many worries, Tet flower businesses at Hang Luoc flower market still expect peak days close to Tet. According to many years of experience, the actual number of customers buying usually accumulates in the last 2-3 days before New Year's Eve, when the demand for home decoration increases sharply.
Hang Luoc Spring Flower Fair is not only a place to buy and sell Tet flowers, but also a typical cultural space of Hanoi every spring. Amidst the hardships of making a living, flower and ornamental plant businesses are still looking forward to a favorable flower season, so that the colors of spring can spread to every rooftop in the moment of the approaching New Year.
