Vietnamese pick pumpkins for Halloween

Vietnamese have only been celebrating Halloween on Oct. 31 in the last decade. But in the last three years, instead of wearing masks and makeup for the festival, people have opted to decorate their houses with uncarved, whole pumpkins as opposed to Western tradition.

According to Mai Thi Lan Phuong, resident of Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung District, this is the second year her family has decorated their home with pumpkins.
These big pumpkins weigh from 20 to 100 kilograms. Prices typically range from VND40,000 ($1.76) to several million dong each. As they are not edible, people usually throw them away after Halloween.

"Pumpkins provide a festive vibe, reminding us of a good harvest season with joy, warmth and peace, so I use them for decoration," Phuong said. She and her husband spent nearly an hour arranging pumpkins in their home.

More than a week ago, Phuong Anh and her husband, residents of northern Hung Yen Province, ordered more than 200 kilograms of pumpkins in different sizes to decorate their house and gift to friends for the upcoming festival.
"Last year a friend gave me a huge decorated pumpkin. It was beautiful and unique, so this year I made an order myself," Anh said.

According to Anh, a standard decorative pumpkin must have a fresh and eye-catching color with a green stalk.
Those with lower buds are more expensive. They can be displayed for up to three months depending on storage.
"Spending a large amount of money is worth it to own unique, durable and huge pumpkins," Anh said.

Ha Minh Khoi, owner of a flower shop in Hoan Kiem District, said this is the second year he has sold giant pumpkins. Since the beginning of October, he has sold more than 200. Khoi also created small pumpkins combined with decorative flowers. However, customers prefer big pumpkins, which can last longer.

Vu Thanh Huyen in Dong Da District spent two weeks coming up with ideas and waiting for her Halloween decorations to arrive. It is more difficult to buy decorations this year due to the pandemic.
"Last year, I could buy anything on Hang Ma Street. But this year, items are limited," she said. In addition to ready-made items, she and her daughter make use of the available objects in the house like hats, clothes... to unleash their creativity.

Not following the trend, Huyen believed that organizing festivals is a way for parents to spend more time with their children. This is an opportunity for mothers and children to interact, helping all to express their own personal character.

Huyen Pham in northern Hung Yen Province started celebrating Halloween three years ago. Initially, she focused on costumes, but when she moved to a new house with a large space, she has preferred to decorate miniatures with pumpkins.

"It is important to create a playground for children... The decoration looks simple, but actually my children and I have a lot of great experiences preparing them," Huyen said.
Through these activities, children will have better aesthetic taste and understand the origin and meaning of the festival, she said.

Nguyen Nha Trang in Hanoi's Hai Ba Trung District has made pumpkin cakes. In the last five years, she often held costume contests for her children and their classmates.
"Pumpkin cakes emerged last year, but I just tried baking them this year. They are good for health, beautiful and delicious, so everyone likes them," said Trang.
She hoped that next year when the pandemic is contained, she can decorate the house with her children, display pumpkins and effigies to welcome Halloween.