Lao Dong's records on the afternoon of February 24 (ie, the 8th day of the first lunar month), the trading atmosphere in the Le Quang Sung street area (Binh Tay ward) is extremely bustling. For many years, this place has been considered the largest sugarcane market in Ho Chi Minh City, becoming a familiar rendezvous for people every time they shop for offerings to the Jade Emperor (January 9th of the first lunar month).
Along the route, dozens of small traders are selling yellow sugarcane - a type of offering considered sacred, symbolizing the ladder to welcome Emperor Emeritus down to earth. Sugarcane here is carefully selected from Western sources: trees are over 2m tall, trunks are large and strong. In particular, the top must still have fresh green leaves to be favored by customers.
According to small traders, this year the source of goods is abundant and of good quality, so the prices are quite stable, ranging from 50,000 - 120,000 VND/pair depending on size.
Ms. Dang Thi Hanh, a long-time trader at the market, said that sugarcane pairs priced from 100,000 - 120,000 VND are being chosen the most by customers. "This is the'most' type of sugarcane, with a fat body, long legs, straight and even shape, very suitable for solemn offerings," Ms. Hanh said.
The special feature of this sugarcane market is that it only holds for about 2 days and then returns the premises on the morning of the 9th day of the first lunar month. Therefore, the number of customers flocking here increased sharply in the early afternoon of the 8th to be able to choose the most beautiful pairs of sugarcane.
Mr. Trinh Dinh Tuyen (resident of Cho Lon ward) shared: "Every year I visit the sugarcane market on the 8th to choose a pair of sugarcane to offer to the Jade Emperor. I usually choose very carefully, prioritizing straight sugarcane, large stems, and fresh green tops because I believe that if the offerings are neat at the beginning of the year, the whole year will be smooth. This year's price is not much different from every year, so I feel very reassured.
