中文 - Tiếng Việt

Bustling street in Hanoi gears up for upcoming Tet holiday

Thứ Ba, 11/01/2022, 21:34

Hang Ma street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter has been given a brilliant red makeover with Tet, known internationally as the Lunar New Year, the biggest and most important holiday of the year, just around the corner.

With just over two weeks to go until the start of Tet the capital emanates a festive ambience, with its streets bustling full of shoppers and markets teeming with flowers, ornamental plants, and a slew of red décor.

Shops throughout Hang Ma street have been decorated in red with a variety of traditional items on show, attracting an influx of visitors, not only going shopping, but also keen to enjoy the Tet atmosphere.

Many locals maintain the custom of hanging red hand-made scrolls, lanterns, or calligraphies printed with wishes of luck, peace, and happiness, in their homes to hope for a better lunar year ahead.

These days on Hang Ma street visitors can see a wide range of red decorations such as lanterns, silk flower branches, and other items on display.

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the import of goods, including decorations, therefore the prices of Tet decorative items this year are slightly higher than last year, a local trader says.

Hand-made items such as origami Banh Chung (square glutinous rice cake traditionally served during the Tet holiday) are among the favourite gifts for this year because they remind people of the festive season in Hanoi in the old times.

The majority of customers are from neighbouring cities and provinces coming to buy goods for retail, whilst some buy items to decorate their restaurants, coffee shops, and their houses.

Minh Ngoc, a coffee shop owner in Hoan Kiem district, says her shop now only applies takeaway services due to COVID-19 restrictions. However she still adorns her shop for Tet celebrations, wishing for a better year to come.

An artificial peach branch costs VND70,000, falling VND50,000 each if customers buy more than 10 branches, it is VND10,000 to VND20,000 more expensive than the previous year, a customer shares.

Hang Ma street maintains a popular place for both residents and tourists in Hanoi to celebrate Tet each year. A few differences are that visitors are requested to wear face masks in an effort to prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

VOV/Photos: VTC

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