The gloomy votive street in the 7th lunar month
As recorded by Lao Dong on the morning of August 18 (the 15th day of the 7th lunar month), trading activities on Hang Ma street are no longer as exciting and bustling as in previous years, although stores have imported many new designs. to serve consumer needs.
Mr. Ngo Tung Duong (Cau Giay, Hanoi) said that in the past, every time he burned votive paper, his family bought at least 5-7 million VND to send to relatives who had passed away. "But from the beginning of 2024, the family will only buy less than 1 million VND at a time, just symbolically," Mr. Duong added.
Also worried about the fire and explosion that could occur from burning votive papers, Ms. Bui Minh Thu (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi) said that in the past, there were many buyers and sellers on Hang Ma Street, but this year there were many shops. The shops on Hang Ma street are increasingly deserted.
"Instead of burning votive paper like every year on the full moon day of July , this year the family does not burn votive paper but instead goes to the pagoda to pray, contribute to charity funds, social welfare, and express their faith. spirituality in a way that is beneficial to society," Ms. Thu added.
Combine business with seasonal products
Even though it is the full moon worshiping days of the 7th lunar month, the number of customers coming to ask to buy is very small, making many small businesses worried. This is a common situation happening not only on Hang Ma street but also in markets in Hanoi city.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue ( character requested to change name ) - owner of votive paper shop number 6B on Hang Ma street - said that votive paper trading is busiest on the full moon day of the 7th lunar month and Lunar New Year. These are occasions that are often expected to bring revenue to the shop. However, this year, the number of customers visiting the shop to buy votive papers to burn has decreased significantly compared to previous years.
According to Ms. Hue, the number of customers coming to buy votive products this year decreased by about 70 - 80%. Most of the people coming to buy are families belonging to the ancestral church, so the number sold is very small.
"The situation of buying and selling votive papers is sluggish, so the family has switched to selling Mid-Autumn toys for a month now. The number of votive papers accounts for a small amount inside the store" - Ms. Hue added.
Mr. Trinh Huu Quyet (67 years old, living at 24, Hang Ma Street) said that his family has had a tradition of selling votive papers on Hang Ma Street for nearly 100 years. He is feeling worried because the number of visitors is increasingly sparse and deserted.
According to Mr. Quyet, the reason for the sharp decline in the consumption of votive goods may be because many people think that burning votive paper is a waste of money. Burning too much will pollute the environment and this may be one of causes of fires.
Many people have changed their beliefs, instead of burning joss paper , they have used their family's money to contribute to charity and social welfare funds, expressing their spiritual beliefs in a new way.
"To survive and make ends meet, the family plans to switch to selling decorative items to serve people on major holidays of the year such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas, Lunar New Year..." - Mr. Quyet added.
