According to Lao Dong's records, on the afternoon of February 15, i.e., December 28th of the lunar calendar, at the "On the wharf, under the boat" flower market (Binh Dong ward), the number of visitors flocking to visit and shop increased sharply compared to previous days. Crowds moved continuously between flower stalls, and at many times the walkway was quite crowded.
About more than 100 boats carrying flowers from the Mekong Delta provinces anchored along the Tau Hu canal, creating a characteristic scene of the flower market on the wharf and under the boats every Tet holiday.
On the shore, flowers such as yellow apricot blossoms, chrysanthemum morifolium, marigolds, cockscomb, paper... are displayed close together, with brilliant colors.
According to some small traders, purchasing power began to increase clearly from December 27th and 28th of the lunar calendar. Flower prices this year generally did not fluctuate much; small pots are priced from tens of thousands of dong, while large, beautiful apricot trees can be up to tens of millions of dong.
Not only buying flowers, many people and tourists also come to the market to visit and take photos. Images of boats carrying spring flowers, interspersed with bustling trading, create a space imbued with river and water in the heart of the city.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (An Lac ward) said: "Every year I come here to buy flowers because I like the atmosphere here. This year there are many flowers, and the price is also reasonable, so I chose a chrysanthemum pot and a kumquat tree that I like.
Small traders said that yesterday and today were the peak of the Tet flower season. Everyone expects to sell all their goods to start the new year smoothly.
Mr. Huynh Van Triet (Binh Chanh commune) said that this year his family brought more than 300 yellow apricot trees to the "On the wharf, under the boat" flower market to sell for Tet. By the afternoon of December 28th, he had sold more than 200 trees.
Customers this year buy slowly in the first few days, but closer to Tet, they are more crowded. I expect from now until the end of tonight and tomorrow morning to sell all the rest. If I don't sell all, I will take them back to the garden to continue taking care of and nurturing the trees so that next year I can continue selling," Mr. Triet shared.
The flower market at Binh Dong wharf is open until tomorrow (December 29th of the lunar calendar), in addition to buying and selling ornamental flowers, there are also Ong Do street, Don ca tai tu music on boats and lion and dragon dances at the main stage.
