Bustling joys in Hanoi s oldest Tet flower market
The flower market in Hang Luoc Street, Hanoi Old Quarter, once again turns vibrant as Lunar New Year is just
Contrary to the bustling vibe in previous years, the Tet flower markets on Hang Ma, Hang Luoc, etc in Hanoi Old Quarter this year are overwhelmed in quiet.
Four days after Covid-19 community transmission cases being detected in Vietnam, the number of visitors to the flower markets on Hang Ma, Hang Luoc, and Hang Ruoi has considerably declined, according to VNExpress.
This year, there are only 5-6 stalls selling small peach blossom and kumquat trees at the market entrance.
The flower market which is held annually in the Hanoi Old Quarter prior 2-3 weeks ahead of Lunar New Year (or Tet), attracts a large number of tourists.
Hang Ma, Hang Luoc and Hang Ruoi are famous places where sell decorative items for Tet holiday. In previous years, visitors had to park their vehicles and walk to the flower market. This year, people ride their motorbikes to stalls and quickly buy.
Mr. Huy Thanh, the owner of a shop selling ribbons, said that he packed ribbons in plastic bags and prepared to close his store. All-day, there are only several customers asking to buy his items.
As Covid-19 resurges ahead of Lunar New Year, traders in Hanoi Old Quarter have encountered many difficulties. Mr. Tran Kiet, a trader on Hang Ma, said “Previous years, visitors thronged to the market starting 20th of Lunar Calendar, but this year, no customers are seen all day".
Instead of hiring staff to take care of the store at night, Kiet does it by himself with the hope of incurring a loss of less than 70 percent.
A person selling red lucky envelopes are sleeping in front of her store since there are no buyers.
Ms. An, a shop owner on Hang Ma said that this year, she only sells handicraft products made by her family instead of importing goods from China as in previous years.
A seller places artificial flowers in plastic bags. Only when a customer appears does she uncover the flowers for them to choose.
From 5 p.m to 6 p.m, the market welcomes more visitors and people coming to check-in. Ms. Thu Hang (in red) and her daughter walked from her house in Hang Buom to the market to buy ornamental plants and Tet decorations. She decided to go shopping for Tet earlier as she is afraid of social distancing caused by the Covid-19.
Many flower shops close from 7 p.m because of no purchasers.
So far, Hanoi has reported 21 Covid-19 cases, all linked to the major clusters in neighboring Hai Duong and Quang Ninh provinces, the country's major coronavirus hotspots.
The new wave of Covid-19 community transmissions in Vietnam caused by the fast-spreading U.K. variant comes just a couple of weeks before Tet, Vietnam's biggest and most important festival, an occasion for family reunions, big gatherings, and home parties.
Since the new wave reemerged in Vietnam last Thursday, the country has recorded 310 community transmissions.
Malie Nguyen