On the last day of the year, in all villages in Ninh Binh province, traditional markets become busier than ever.
The rural market at the end of the year is not only a place to buy and sell goods to serve Tet, but also a familiar cultural space, associated with the spiritual life of rural people, a place to preserve the lifestyles, customs and even memories of a past year.
From early morning, carts are loaded with green vegetables, tubers, fruits, chickens, ducks, meat, fish, cakes... all carrying the breath of the fields, of the hometown garden. The rural market in normal days is already crowded and joyful, but the year-end market is even busier because everyone takes the opportunity to shop for a full Tet for their families. Many market sessions extend the meeting time to the afternoon.
At Xanh market (Khanh Thien commune, Ninh Binh province), from buyers to sellers, everyone is busy, the goods on display are very close and familiar to rural people, from bunches of bananas, bunches of areca nuts, oranges, grapefruits... or chickens, bunches of vegetables. All are home-grown products, garden leaves, making Tet marketgoers feel the closeness, familiarity and simplicity of the countryside.
Next to the vegetable stalls and dong leaves for wrapping green banh chung, there is the red color of parallel sentences, lucky money envelopes, the yellow color of chrysanthemums, kumquat trees... brought to the market by people to sell. The bustling laughter mixed with the familiar bargaining sounds create a lively, warm picture, making anyone going to the market clearly feel that spring is coming very soon.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (62 years old) - who has "seniority" in selling vegetables at Xanh market for more than ten years - shared: "The year-end market is always special, the market lasts longer than all normal markets in the year. On normal days, the market only opens from early morning until about 11 am and then closes. But the year-end market opens in the afternoon.
With the advantage of coastal land, Kim Dong market (Kim Dong commune, Ninh Binh province) cannot lack stalls selling fresh seafood. Batches of shrimp, fish, and crab just caught from the sea are quickly purchased by people and brought to the market to sell, so they are still fresh.
Sellers smile, buyers are excited, creating a bustling atmosphere. In addition to essential food items, there are also handicrafts and traditional household items being sold more.
The rural market at the end of the year is very fun. Not only to shop for things, eat childhood gifts but also to feel the Tet atmosphere. Meeting acquaintances, people often ask each other how they are doing business this year, how their children are doing, naturally feeling that the old year has closed more gently" - Ms. Bui Thi Tuyet, residing in Kim Dong commune shared.
For many people, the year-end market is also an opportunity for them to look back on a year of hard work, to prepare their mindset to step into the new year with many hopes. In that bustling atmosphere, greetings, sharing stories of the old year, plans for the new year, village and neighborhood affection become more connected and stronger.
