Tet flower market has long been one of the significant features of Vietnamese traditional New Year. People stroll around flower markets not only to choose a peach branch, a kumquat pot or a flower branch, but this is also an one in a lifetime opportunity to find moments of relaxation in the soul, wishing a happy and peaceful new year.
Peach blossom blooming at Hang Luoc flower market (Photo: Minh Hue)
No matter how many well-known flower markets in Ha Noi, it can’t fade way the uniqueness of Hang Luoc flower market. The name “Hang Luoc flower market” stemmed from the daily meeting of the market on the street of Hang Luoc old town, Hang Ma ward, Hoan Kiem district. Formed in the early years of the 20th century, Hang Luoc flower market is considered the oldest flower market in Hanoi. At this flower fair, people can go for a walk, have a look, take pictures with all the flowers free from buying, considering it as a pleasure. Therefore, only Hanoi people say “strolling around the flower market” rather than “going shopping for flowers”. Generation to generation of Hanoi people have tied a part of their childhood when following their grandmother, mother to go to the flower market. Currently, people can buy flowers, peach blossom, kumquat, etc. in different places, but some families in Hanoi still remain the habit of going to Hang Luoc flower market during Tet holidays just to shop and feel the incense of traditional Tet holiday at a unique flower market of Ha Noi.
Flower market outing – an elegant pleasure of Hanoi people (Photo: Hoa Binh)
A special feature of Hang Luoc flower market is that it only meets once a year, starting from December 23 to December 30. People throughout the flower growing regions in Hanoi carry peach blossoms, kumquat trees and a variety of traditional flowers including gladiolus, dahlia, violet, the amplexicaulis, etc. to the market meeting, creating a bustle environment for the flower market on Tet holiday. Hang Luoc flower market extends throughout the length of Hang Luoc, Hang Chai and Hang Ray streets to Hang Ma and Hang Dong streets. Perhaps the flower market is located between Hanoi – 36 streets, so the florists are well aware of choosing goods more carefully and thoroughly, how to get the most beautiful and freshest flowers painted in colors to serve customers, maybe it’s a secreted know-how of Hang Luoc flower market to exist and remain its reputation to this day. Next to the colorful flower stalls, there are stalls selling many kinds of unique fruits such as grapefruit with the shape of wine gourd, fingered citron busting with multiple beautiful shapes and sized. At the flower market, people can also find the elegant and f pompous features in the way of playing bonsai as the hobby of Hanoi people, etc.
The bright spring sky adds to the colorful flowers the harmonious seasoning of life, more and more people who can’t wait to enjoy fully the essence and the Hang Luoc flower market is still busy selling and buying, seeing the Lunar New Year coming close by.
Tuan Anh