Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

By Giang Huy   January 20, 2023 | 03:02 am PT
Three days before Tet, Quang Ba flower market in Hanoi has become busier than ever with merchants and shoppers staying awake through the night.
Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

The city’s largest market on Au Co Street in Tay Ho District is bustling at 11 p.m. on Thursday as people flock to buy fresh flowers for Tet decoration.

Normally, the market is open from 3 a.m. to noon, but during Tet it operates day and night.

CNN called the market one of the best places in the world to celebrate Lunar New Year.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

Quang Ba is said to sell the best stuff in the city, getting it from well-known flower growing areas around Hanoi such as Tay Tuu, Dong, Gia Lam, and Phuc Yen.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

Vividly colored Dahlia and gladiolus flowers, which symbolize good luck, cost VND500,000-700,000 ($21-29) a bunch, and are among the best-selling items.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

Shoppers buy wax flowers, a symbol of wealth and longevity, at VND100,000 a bunch.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

At around midnight the market is still crowded with shoppers though the temperature is 16 degrees Celsius.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

In addition to familiar items such as peach blossom, rose, lily, and chrysanthemum, there are also imported flowers such as boronia pinnata and yellow peach blossom.

The Year of the Cat begins on Sunday and Vietnamese usually finish decorating their home for Tet by noon on Lunar New Year’s Eve.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

A bunch of chrysanthemum flowers cost VND400,000.

Le Thi Huong said during the lead-up to Tet she had to stay up all night to import flowers to meet the high demand.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

Gladiolus flowers from Bac Giang Province are sold at VND600,000 for a bunch of 50.

Sleepless in Hanoi’s largest flower market before Tet

Police officers help a man whose motorbike is loaded with yellow chrysanthemum flowers.

 
 
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