Hanoians prepare offerings on 15th day of last lunar month

Since the early morning of the 15th day in the last lunar month traditional markets in Hanoi have been crowded with people buying offerings specially for the occasion.

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For locals of Hanoi, people tend to flock to Thanh Ha, Yen Phu, and Hang Be markets, with these sites typically being their favourite places for food shopping during the last days of the lunar year.

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With the high-quality and a diverse range of goods from raw ingredients to cook dishes on offer, the traditional market remains the top option for many families in Hanoi.

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One of the leading items that local people offer to ancestors ahead of Tet are peach branches. Usually, the price of peach branches hovers between VND100,000 and VND300,000 each, with the price depending on their size.

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Sets of votive paper clothes are put on sale as part of efforts to serve customers’ demand as Tet draws near.

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Local people buy paper offerings to worship “Ong Cong, Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods), a long-standing custom of great significance as it symbolises the farewell to all bad things of the old year as a way of helping people to relaxedly enter a new year of peace and happiness.

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Customers select daisies and roses which can be used for worship.

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The prices of fresh flowers which are put up on altars don’t increase much.

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In the northern region, people are often busy shopping for a feast, paper offerings, flowers, and fresh fruits to put up on the family’s altars.

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Hang Be market remains a favourite place which is popular among Hanoians to shop at for offerings and ready-to-eat dishes for the occasion.

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Fruits are an indispensable part of the altar.

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Most of the altars which are used to worship the ancestors have space for a boiled chicken which can be sold at VND500,000 to VND700,000 for each one weighing between 1.5 kg and 1.7kg.

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Typical dishes go on sale in traditional markets.

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Grapefruit flowers are among the top choices for buyers on the 15th day of the last lunar month.

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The dishes not only look beautiful but are also cooked with a tasty flavour. They are packed in boxes and bags to make it easy for customers to use immediately.