Surrounded by the old apartments, created first by just a small group of flower vendors, then expanded with the arrival of immigrants from various regions of Vietnam making their sales from flowers, Ho Thi Ky became a big area with a diversity of goods, most of which are flowers. Most flower markets in HCMC open only over the Tết Holiday in Spring, but this Ho Thi Ky market opens at all time, 24/7. Whether night or day, you will find such vivid atmosphere here, where colorful flowers are seen along the sideways that emerge with the pace of daily life of the locals. 

All kinds of flowers in the South are brought here and get delivered to all parts of Saigon for sales.

Finished with the flowers? Since it’s a market, there are lots of food stalls, too. You won’t be disappointed with the world of cheap street food here, from 1$ Vietnamese soup dishes, 25-cent Cantonese chive cakes to the 1$ Pad Thai! Lots of food offers for you.

Words and photos by Khoi Nguyen

The post An Insider’s Photos at Ho Thi Ky – The Saigon Flower Market appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Spring Flower Festival is an annual event enjoyed by both the inhabitants of and visitors to the urban residence of Phú Mỹ Hưng in District 7. While 2017’s festival featured various ornamental recreations of a thriving countryside based on the theme “The spring of prosperity” and the image of a chicken, Spring Festival’s theme is “Spring Love of the River”. 

In 2017, the area of the festival was divided into sections, each with its own portrayal of wealth and prosperity, from a garden with luscious fruits (called the ‘spring garden’), a road with elegantly built models of the rooster placed alongside (the ‘spring road’) to a hustling floating marketplace (the ‘spring harbor’). And let us not forget the star of the show – the flowers: everywhere you could find abundant flowers, put in single pots or spread over a field, all of which in full bloom and having many bright colors that will certainly make walking around the area ‘a taste of eye candy’.

Of course, if you were willing to pay, you could always bring those ‘eye candies’ home, as the organizers had conveniently set up over 500 small flower shops to meet every customer’s’ shopping needs. All in all, the Spring Flower Festival is a perfect place to spend time with your family and friends on the days leading up to Tet.

More Photos of Spring Festival last year here:

However, in 2018, Spring Festival held in the Crescent Lake formed by the Thay Tieu River recalls the life on the river of Nha Be – the area that is formed a village on the raft – a long time ago. The festival has a floating market at Ben Xuan (Spring Wharf) area, featuring lots of flower boats at anchor representing the boats of the merchants in the old days, raft houses, and water coconut trees.

Like in 2017, Spring Garden in the festival is expected to attract visitors by the colorful flowers and beautiful plants.

The highlight area of the fesival is on the highest hill which has a 5-meter-long dog statue to mark the Year of the Dog.

Upon arrival at the festival, visitors can come by over 250 booths selling flower and bonsai plants to decorate their homes during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

The Spring Festival on Crescent Lake is opened from February 8 to February 14, 2018.

The other areas like Spring Garden are displayed until February 20, 2018.

The post Phu My Hung Spring Flowers Festival – Tet Holiday in Saigon appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Words and photos by Chi Le

The post Nhat Tan Village – The Best Flower Forrest in Hanoi appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Peach Blossom (Hoa Đào)

if you ever pay a visit to Hanoi during Lunar New Year, you will definitely agree that all over the place is covered with a cheerful color coming from these pink petals of peach blossoms. This kind of plant is known as an iconic flower for Northern Vietnamese when it comes to spring. It is believed that not only peach blossoms can chase away evil spirit, but they also bring in a fresh vitality to your home, which helps you stay healthy and peaceful. Not just that, if you are a businessman, then peach blossom cannot be forgotten due to its symbol as fertility and hope.

The best place to see the flowers is Nhat Tan (Nhật Tân) peach blossom garden located in Au Co Street, Hanoi.

Apricot Blossom (Hoa Mai)

Whilst peach blossom is the most popular Tet holiday’s auspicious flower in Northern Vietnam, apricot blossom can be seen as the spirit of Tết for Southern Vietnamese. Contrary to the pink that gets a great harmony with the freeze and coldness in the North, yellow petals from apricot blossoms represent for the torrid heat and humidity Southern Vietnamese have been enduring all year round. An image of five-petal apricot blossom symbolizes for “Five Blessings” in Oriental belief: longevity, wealth, peace, health and love of virtue, which mark the dearest hope of every Vietnamese in particular and Asian in general. Coincidentally, the word “Yellow” (vàng) in Vietnamese sounds identical to the word “Gold” or “Golden” (vàng). Consequently, apricot blossoms are decorated in most of the houses with a hope of good luck, happiness and, prosperity.

White daffodil (Hoa Thủy Tiên Trắng)

Apart from peach blossoms, white daffodils find favor with lots of Hanoi citizens in terms of their multi-function and symbolic meaning. Unlike any other holiday ornamental plants, every single part of a daffodil can be exerted: flowers, fragrance, leaves and tuberous roots. Water must be replaced in every morning in order that roots can be kept clean and not turn smeared. According to Oriental or Asian outlook, this plant bears a good meaning. Word-of-mouth has it that, if  white daffodils bloom right in the moment of  New Year’s Eve in one’s house, the whole family will end up with happiness, good luck, and prosperity. Bưởi market, a local village fair in Hà Nội, is where people always come to find white daffodils by the time of Tết. Besides using them as ornamental plants, trimming and arranging the daffodil flowers can be an absolutely great art.

Kumquat tree (Cây Quất)

Vietnamese believe that owning a luxuriant kumquat tree in the middle of their home brings good health and good luck to their business.  It is a symbol for a greatly prosperous year ahead. Hence, there is no doubt to see kumquat trees displayed for sale at every single corner of the street in many flower markets all over Vietnam. Located next to China, Vietnam has adopted a lot of Chinese cultures, customs, and beliefs. Feng Shui is not an exception. As a result, planting and trimming a kumquat tree must be conformed to some decorating rules, in order to turn it into a perfect shape. An ideal sample of kumquat tree will have big shiny dark green leaves, and all the fruits must bear a similarity in size and give a juicy look. When people are running a business, they should place a kumquat tree at the front door of their offices or stores so that it can bring wealth and clear sight. That is the reason why man must serve good experience in life as well as Feng Shui application once it comes to purchase and display kumquat trees.

Fig (Sung)

Rather than being seen as a usual tree in a back garden of someone’s house during Lunar New Year, figs are usually displayed as one of the main fruits on a five-fruit tray, especially in Southern Vietnam. A typical five –fruit tray will include custard-apples, coconuts, papayas, mangoes, and figs, which can be literally translated as “wishing for a well-off life” in Vietnamese when combined in sound. By itself, “fig” in Vietnamese sounds identical to “comfortable”, “well-off” or “prosperous”. Apparently, we can totally understand why figs are favored by Vietnamese during Lunar New Year.

Daisy (Hoa Cúc)

Regardless of where they come from, both Northern and Southern
people all enjoy having lots of daisy pots placed around their gardens or along the porches. If these flowers are in yellow and red, they will be more preferred. Daisy is a symbol for life, even if a single sprig of daisy put inside a small bottle can help balance the vital force in your house. However, laying your daisy pots where they can take the most illumination in order to get the best of luck must be kept in mind.

In conclusion, reading through the article, we all can infer that Vietnamese lead a very rich mental life, affected by a long-standing rice civilization. The aspiration for a prosperous and happy life is inarguable, especially on this big occasion of Tết, or Lunar New Year. It can be reflected through the meaning of some typical ornamental plants in every region of our country. It is an absolute honor for all of us, as local Vietnamese, to show you a part of our culture. And moreover, you can put it into the comparison with other Asian countries to figure out the specialty in our belief.  

The post Top Lucky Plants and Flowers for Tet Holiday appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

The first day of Lunar 2018 – the first day of Tet is on 16th of February 2018

Clothing Shopping

Just like Christmas or the New Year’s Eve in European countries, Tet to all Vietnamese is the time for family’s gathering and crazy shopping! However, do not worry too much about your budget because everything at Tet is fully sale off! If you go to the stores, especially clothing stores, you will find that most of them offer sale off up to 50%. For other things, the price is also comparatively and competitively low so you can be sure that there will be a wide range of choices for you.

If you are interested in clothing stores in Hanoi, glance through this list of locations:

Germe Shop

Germe is now offering from 10% – 30% sale off for all clothes in store from 2nd – 5th February 2018. Especially, if you are interested in Áo Dài, this will be a terrific opportunity to drop by Germe. Germe is now having 11 stores in Hanoi so you can check out its website or facebook page to know more information.

Website: www.germe.vn/
Facebook: Germe Shop
Address 1: #258 Bà Triệu Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi
Address 2: #64 Hàng Nón Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Address 3: #273 Xã Đàn Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

Magenta Vintage

Magenta will be a perfect place if you love a little bit of vintage style. Magenta offers both new and used clothes with vintage design and style. You can also buy other accessories from scarfs, hats and shoes here. The price is considerably high compared to other stores but you know what they say: “You get what you pay for”.

Facebook page: Magenta Vintage
Address: 2nd Flr, 6 Hàng Đậu Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Price: From 300.000vnd

Boo

Boo is a well-known clothing store in the country. It offers a variety of clothes with all styles but mostly sporty, street and casual for target customers from 15 – 25 years old. There are many BOO stores in the city so below are a few locations suggested.

Website: www.bosua.vn/
Facebook page: Bo sua by BOO
Address 1: #308 Bà Triệu Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi
Address 2: #93 Nguyễn Chí Thanh Street, Đống Đa District, Hanoi
Address 3: #64 Tràng Tiền Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Decao

If you like to go punk, Decao is definitely not a bad choice! Decao offers fantastic street-styled clothes for target customers from above 15 years old. Here in Decao, we go weird and extraordinary!

Photo via znews-photo-td.zadn.vnAddress: #280 Huế Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi
Facebook page: DECAO

Zara

Foreign visitors will definitely love to hear this name. This is the first year of Zara in Hanoi and if you are a fashion lover, do not miss this chance!

Website: www.zara.com/
Address: #191 Bà Triệu Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

Local Market

Before Tet, the Vietnamese will go shopping for foods and treats to keep in storage because all stores and markets will close at Tet. This will be a great chance if you want to experience the atmosphere of the people bustling preparing for Tet in the country. You should drop by some supermarkets; however, markets are still advisory since everything is cheaper they are just the place for everyone!

Đồng Xuân Market

Đồng Xuân is the most popular in Hanoi. You can get everything you need here, especially foods. For many children as well as many adults, Hôm market is a memory of childhood where they were taken here by their parents to enjoy delicious treats.

Address: Đồng Xuân Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

For more markets in Hanoi Old Quarter, read our article here

Hôm Market

If you want to buy accessories and clothing, just go to Hôm market. This place is praised as the heaven of cloths in the city. Most tailors usually go to this market to buy accessories for their clothes. Of course you will find many other things in this place but it is quite small so there is nothing much you can explore except for… cloths!

Address: Huế Street, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi

Long Biên Market

Lying near the foot of Long Biên Bridge, Long Biên Market is indeed a place that most housewives will come at Tet. Long Biên is one of the biggest markets in the city. It is very popular especially for fruits sold at night. The market is divided into many sections from seafood, poultry to cattle meat.

Address: The foot of Long Biên Bridge, behind Trần Nhật Duật Street, Hanoi

Flower Market

Nhật Tân

Nhật Tân is a flower market near Tây Hồ (West Lake). Before Tết, many families will spend their time in Nhật Tân to contemplate the beauty of all the flowers before entering the special time of the year. Many people also go to Nhật Tân to pick up some beautiful peach blossom trees, marigolds or kumquats to décor their houses at Tết.

Address: Âu Cơ Street, Tây Hồ District, Hanoi

Quảng Bá

Quản Bá is a night flower market. Despite its small size, Quảng Bá still brings customers a dear feeling to the customers. Quảng Bá is unique, not only for its opening time at night but also for a very traditional sensation that it brings to all visitors. Before Tết, Quảng Bá is also one of the must-come places of Hanoians. The place is the most crowded at night from 1 – 2 am.

Address: Tây Hồ District, Hanoi

Hàng Mã Street

Hàng Mã is also a suggested place to go before Tết. If at Midfall festival, the street is decorated with thousands of sparkling floating lanterns, then before Tết, the whole street is covered in the yellow and red shades of votive paper (used as symbolic items to burn for the dead or ancestors at Tết), as well as things to decorate Vietnamese houses. The votive paper has many shapes and sizes. They can be a car, a house, a bicycle or dollars, and Vietnam Dongs. People believe that if they burn these, the ones from the other side (heaven) can receive them.

Address: Hang Ma Street, The Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi.

Events before Tết

Hanoi Looktique (2nd – 4th Feb 2018)

This is an annual garage sale held in Hanoi. Here you will find everything you want from clothes, accessories, bags, shoes and even foods, especially snacks and Korean.

Address: #36 Lý Thái Tổ Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi

Tết event in Lotte Mart (3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th Feb 2018)

If you do not know what to do before Tết, try dropping by Lotte Mart to participate in great Tết event with lots of interesting activities such as coloring old Đông Hồ paintings, shaping tò he (an edible children’s toy made of rice flour), writing in Chinese calligraphy and so on.

Address: 1st Flr, Lotte Department Store, 54 Liễu Giai Street, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Time: 14:00 – 18:00

Exploring Vietnamese traditional clothes (1st – 15th Feb 2018)

This season, Lotte Mart again brings you some excitement with a fashion gallery of Vietnamese traditional clothes. Coming to the event, not only can you feast your eyes upon amazing fashion show of Vietnames Feudal Clothes, but you can also explore the wonder of Vietname’s culture hidden in layers of traditional silk.

Address: 1st Flr, Lotte Department Store, 54 Liễu Giai Street, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Fashion show time: 19:30, 10th Feb 2018

The post Things to Do Before Tet 2018 in Hanoi appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

It is not something random that these flower street vendors have brought somewhat a refreshing reminiscent breeze to people in the city, but simply because they need to earn a living and customers need those beautiful bunches of flowers. Despite what kind of season it is, flower is always a constant and unchanged beauty of Hanoi with which the respectable tradition is consistent as a life-time companion.

In the olden times, a common motif of a Vietnamese lady sitting by a trellis of flowers always stole hearts of men. Especially in the 80’s, the appearance of a young girl in the charming Áo Dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) would always be accompanied with a few branches of gorgeous flowers. Every single corner of the street saw a basket of flowers sold by women a lady, or even a man. Sometimes, a few ladies altogether turned the corner into a little flower market. Hence, as such a pride, Hanoians have got their famous flower markets such as Ngọc Hà, Nhật Tân, Tứ Liên. In spite of a strong Westernization, these vendors have not lost their pure beauty. Whenever you leave home, they are always out there with familiar conical hats and old rusty bike carrying baskets of roses, daisies, sunflowers, feverfews or pomelo flowers.

These familiar scenes are somehow dear but hidden with pain as well. They portray small women, just like moms and grandmoms, who try to make some money with the withstanding from severe heat and rain.” – Trang Nguyen

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Words by Trang Nguyen (Trang Nguyen‘s profile)
Photos by Hanh Le

The post Flower Street Vendors in Hanoi appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

To see more photos, check the open album below or go to Flickr:
Photo Album Flickr
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

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