With only a few days left until Binh Ngo Tet 2026, on the originally quiet streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter such as Hang Giay and Hang Buom, it suddenly becomes unusually bustling. From early morning until late at night, crowds flock to the candy "capital" as crowded as a festival. Greetings and bargaining mixed with the sound of cars carrying goods coming in and out continuously, creating a very unique hurried rhythm of the days leading up to Tet.
On the sidewalks, confectionery is piled high into colorful "mountains". Cakes, coconut jam, squash jam, ô mai, watermelon seeds, sunflower seeds... are displayed all over the store facades. New boxes of goods are continuously moved down, stacked on top of each other, preparing for a sharp increase in customers during peak days.
According to surveys, domestic confectionery is sold by weight at prices ranging from 130,000 to 350,000 VND/kg, depending on the type. High-end imported product lines have clear listed prices, mainly serving wholesale customers or as gifts for businesses. Compared to last year, prices have slightly increased due to increased transportation and import costs, but according to many small traders, this increase does not significantly affect purchasing power.
Ms. Nguyen Minh Nguyet (Ha Dong ward) said that every year she goes to the Old Quarter to buy Tet cakes and candies. "Here, goods are abundant, easy to choose, and prices are reasonable. Buying once is enough for the whole family to entertain guests for several spring days," she shared while carrying two large bags full of cakes and jams.
Not only retail customers, many people from the suburbs and neighboring provinces also come to pick up goods for resale. Store owners said that the number of wholesalers accounts for a large proportion, especially in the evening. Besides direct selling, online orders also increased sharply, and employees have to work continuously to be able to pack and deliver goods in time.
Ms. Huong, a small trader with more than 20 years of attachment to Hang Buom street, said: "The peak really starts after the Ong Cong and Ong Tao festival. At that time, customers flock to shop, many days we have to open all night". According to her, although the market has more supermarkets and shopping centers, the Old Quarter still retains its appeal thanks to its diversity and long-standing tradition.
In the crowd jostling amidst the brilliant red and yellow colors of Tet packaging, you can clearly feel the transformation of spring approaching very closely. The Old Quarter these days is not only a place for buying and selling, but also a space to preserve Hanoi Tet memories, where each bag of cakes and a box of jam carry the flavor of reunion and the eagerness to welcome the new year.
