(CPV) – Hanoi has no lack of places to buy Tet flowers, but for many, Hang Luoc has always been unique because it arouses the traditional Tet atmosphere.
Formed in the early 20th century, Hang Luoc flower market has been considered as the oldest flower market in Hanoi.
Going to the flower market is not only to enjoy the Tet atmosphere, but is also an elegant pleasure of Hanoians because it is hold only once a year.
In the Le Dynasty, Hang Luoc belonging to Phu Tu village and Vinh Tru village of Hau Tuc canton and then renamed Dong Xuan canton, Tho Xuong district, specializing in producing combs. From 1912, Hang Luoc has become a famous spring flower market in Thang Long with various flowers from Quang Ba peach flower, Nhat Tan peach flower, Ngoc Ha chrysanthemum to new flowers grown in the Hanoi Botanical Gardens.
Hang Luoc street now belongs to Hang Ma ward, Hoan Kiem district. It is 264meters in length, connecting from Hang Cot street to Cha Ca street. More than 100 years after its first market-day, Hang Luoc street has always had a flower market for Tet, except the Lunar New Year of Pig 1947 when Hanoi was a battlefield.
Hang Luoc street is crowded when Tet comes
The market starts from 23rd to 30th of the 12th lunar month. On this occasion, peach flower, kumquat tree and various kinds of spring flowers everywhere gather, making the small street, which is usually crowded, even busier on the last days of the year. Called the Hang Luoc spring flower market, on market-days, the market stretches from Hang Chai street to Hang Ma, Hang Dong streets, where are full of fresh flowers and ornamental plants.
Unlike Quang Ba flower market, flowers are usually heaped up into large and small stacks, flowers in Hang Luoc market seem to be more carefully selected to display to sell on shelves. Traditional flowers such as peach flower, kumquat tree, chrysanthemum, gladiolus, dahlia, violet, narcissus, camellia amplexicaulis. Therefore, many people from distant regions also come to buy peach flower to enjoy during Tet.
It lies in the ancient quarter, so forest grown peach flowers are very rare, but mainly peach branches, ornamental peach trees with red flowers, which have many petals. That amount is enough for buyers to flinch before red colours of various flowers. Many people go around several flower markets in Hanoi but at the end they have to turn round Hang Luoc flower market to buy a satisfactory peach branch.
Hang Luoc is a favourite place for many Hanoians to buy peach flowers
Not only that, the yellow colour of chrysanthemum, orange pink colour of gladiolus flower among ancient quarter also has attracted people. Although it is crowded, lines of people flocking to the market don’t elbow out and push but stroll leisurely. People going to the market to walk and enjoy flowers, sometime they throw themselves into a flower store on the side of the road. If they are satisfactory, they will ask to buy and bargain.
For Hanoians, enjoying Hang Luoc flower market on the occasion of spring is an elegant hobby before the Tet holiday. During the market week, some people go to market to enjoy flowers everyday until the 30th day, the last day of the year, they have just chosen a flower. Flower sellers don’t show their uncomfortable attitude for this reason but they are hospitable, inviting people to buy flowers and presenting happy new year greeting to customers.
Peach branch brings Tet to families
Besides fresh flowers, colourful silk flower baskets are also sold there. Although it is not speciality on Tet, silk and paper flowers in Hang Luoc street are sold well. Among colourful flowers are kiosks selling unique fruits such as wine-gourd shaped grapefruits, finger citron and decorations and red envelope for lucky money.Hang Luoc flower market today intermingles modern features and nostalgic ones. Many generations of Hanoi people have warm Tet memories of walking in this market. You should spend little time to drop in Hang Luoc flower market to further understand values and beauties of the culture in the capital city./.
Đăng ký: VietNam News