Bustling Hanoi streets gear up for upcoming Tet holiday

With only a few days until the Lunar New Year, the market on Tran Quy Cap street behind Hanoi Railway Station is packed full of buyers visiting the busy stalls with La Dong (Dong leaves) for sale.

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In recent years the market has become increasingly crowded because many Hanoians make Banh Chung (square glutinous rice cake) by themselves.

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Traders are able to sell thousands of Dong leaves and bamboo strings every day as they are the main items used to wrap Banh Chung, a traditional cake consumed by Vietnamese people during the occasion.

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The spring calligraphy festival 2023 opens at Hanoi’s Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, known internationally as the Temple of Literature, with the site being the first university in Vietnam, on January 15 as part of efforts to uphold the spirit of learning among younger generation and respect for educators.

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Producing pieces on red or yellow Do (poonah) paper, calligraphers write scripts which are intended to bring about good health, luck, and prosperity for those in attendance.

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Stalls on Hanoi’s Hang Buom street sell both salted and sugared dried fruits, imported candies, and Mut Tet (Tet jam).

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Mut Tet (Tet jam) is a special offering made by Vietnamese households to their ancestors every Tet. They are also served to New Year guests with green tea. Tasting sweet things on the first day of the Lunar New Year can also help to sweeten the year with luck and happiness.

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Customers line up in front of a stall on Hang Duong street as they prepare for Tet.

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The Hang Luoc flower market is a long-standing famous market located in Hanoi. It only convenes once a year, with the site opening from the 15th to 30th day of the last month of the lunar calendar.

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The traditional flower market is a hugely popular attraction featuring a large number of customers who prepare decorative items ahead of Tet.

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Crowds of local people tend to flock to Hang Ma street each year in order to purchase traditional objects and decorations specifically for the Lunar New Year.