In the last days of December, many streets in Da Nang are lit up all night. On Hoang Thi Loan, Nguyen Sinh Sac, Le Dai Hanh, Ong Ich Khiem, Dong Da streets..., Tet flower selling points are close together, covered with brilliant apricot, peach, and chrysanthemum colors.
Along with the yellow apricot blossoms, chrysanthemum morifolium or spring peach blossoms, the most familiar image these days is makeshift tents, where small traders eat and sleep right next to flower pots for convenient viewing of goods.
From early morning to late at night, rows of flowers are always bustling with buyers. As the street gradually becomes sparse of customers, many small traders start transporting, rearranging goods, and preparing flowers to deliver to customers who order in advance.
Many people stay up all night to guard flowers, to prevent flowers from being damaged. In rare free time, they take the opportunity to nap on folding chairs, hammocks, small mats or simply sit leaning against tents to rest temporarily.
Mr. Pham Viet Hung, a flower trader on Hoang Thi Loan street, said that this year his family brought hundreds of pots of chrysanthemum morifolium, peach blossoms and flowers of all kinds to the market.
I brought flowers to sell here from the 15th day of the twelfth lunar month, I and the surrounding small traders set up a tent to stay to conveniently look after them. We sell goods during the day, and take turns watching the flowers at night. We only go back when they are sold out, otherwise we will only pack our goods by noon on the 29th to go home for Tet holiday," Mr. Hung said.
As for small traders far from home like Ms. Pham Thi Dao, owner of a peach garden in Hung Yen province (former Hai Duong), celebrating Tet away from home has become familiar.
I brought pots and pans, stoves and food, set up a tent and stayed right at the selling point from December 18th of the lunar calendar. After selling all the flowers, I left for my hometown, every year, it was not until New Year's Eve that I had time to get home," Ms. Dao said.
Under the lights harmonizing with the weather of the days leading up to Tet, temporary tents set up on the sidewalks become resting places after a long busy day. Tet for many people is a time for rest and reunion, but for small flower vendors, it is the busiest season for making a living.
They accept sleepless nights in the streets, just hoping to sell flowers smoothly to return home soon, in time to welcome a complete spring with loved ones and family.
