Biggest fish market busily serves locals on the eve of Kitchen Gods’ Day

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Dozens of trucks from Nam Dinh, Hai Duong, Ninh Binh and Ha Nam Provinces are flocking to the market, carrying tons of goldfish to the capital city’s market.

The fish’s prices depend on the type of fish and their appearance. Small gold carps cost 10,000-25,000 VND each while the price of an iridescent fish ranges 10,000- 15,000 VND.

The release of gold carps is a ritual to celebrate the Kitchen Gods’ Day, which is on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, in Vietnam. Vietnamese people believe that the carp will turn into dragon and then be used by the Kitchen Gods on their trip to the heaven to report the year-round situation of their families to the Ruler of Heaven.

On this day, families across the country bid farewell to the Gods of the Kitchen by offering them a feast and carps “means of transport”, thanking them for watching and managing the kitchen of their families for the year.

Tien, a fish trader at So Thuong fish market, said he transports gold fish from Ninh Giang district, Hai Duong province to the market to sell the fish to local wholesale sellers. He affirmed, "The profit is not so high compared with selling ordinary fish for meal, but I’m doing just for good deed".

The fish’s prices depend on the type of fish and their appearance. Small gold carps cost 10,000-25,000 VND each while the price of an iridescent fish ranges 10,000- 15,000 VND.

Several photos at the So Thuong fish market:

Biggest fish market busily serves locals on the eve of Kitchen Gods’ Day