Hanoi’s Quang An flower market busier ahead of Tet

As a big and well-known market in the capital city, the market place is getting busier and busier prior to Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival. Tet is the most important holiday and the occasion when every Vietnamese family decorates their homes with flowers and plants to welcome the new year. Some names can be listed out including chrysanthemums and rose. Nowadays, people often use orchid, lilys and tulip. Three kinds of plants that cannot be missing in Tet holiday are peach blossom, apricot and kumquat tree. Being 5km away from downtown Hanoi, Quang An flower market is an ideal place for buying flowers and an appropriate place for exploring the city at night. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

Quang An flower market is the biggest markets in Hanoi with a variety of flowers to meet the demand of people around the year. Each season has its own flowers, so flowers sold at Quang An Flower Market are seasonal. They are transported from different areas, with peach blossoms and chrysanthemum from Nhat Tan, Tu Lien kumquat, apricot blossoms from Ho Chi Minh City, roses from Soc Son, and cymbidium orchid and lilys flowers from Da Lat. The market does not only sell locals’ flowers but also sells imported ones. The flowers come from various sources including China, Thailand, the Netherlands and South Africa. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

Quang An Flower Market is one of the oldest flower markets in Hanoi. The market took shape from a temporary market in Nhat Tan ward established to sell flowers grown at some well-known flower villages by West Lake such as Nhat Tan, Quang Ba. When Tay Ho district was set up in 1996, the market was moved to its present location in Quang An ward. From Quang An market, which is open at night to early morning, except for Tet holidays, flowers are distributed to elsewhere in the city with most of the buyers being wholesale dealers. Visiting the market has become a hobby for many Hanoians as colorful and fragrant flowers displayed here are a special treat. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The flower market attracts thousands of visitors on the occasion of Tet every year. This year, the market offers more varieties of flowers, which are transported from different areas: peach blossoms and chrysanthemum from Nhat Tan, Tu Lien kumquat, apricot blossoms from HCM City, roses from Soc Son, and cymbidium orchid and lilys flowers from Da Lat. From Quang An market, which is open at night to early morning, except for Tet holidays, flowers are distributed to elsewhere with most of the buyers being wholesale dealers. In the pre-Tet period, the market is busy not only with flower dealers but also with young customers who come to enjoy the bustling atmosphere or buy flowers to decorate their home. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Every time when Tet holiday is approaching, Quang An Flower Market becomes a peach blossom market because this is one of the most favourite flowers at Tet festival in Vietnam. Peach blossom is similar to apricot blossom but it’s can only be grown in the northern region. It symbolises happiness, richness and luckiness.  Local people have been rushed to buy Nhat Tan peach blossom flowers as it is one of the most beautiful and famous peach flower types in the north of Vietnam. To meet the increasing demand of Hanoians, farmers who grow peach blossom flowers have applied special cultivation techniques to help flowers blossoming early. (Photo:VietnamPlus) 

Tet holidays are the days of relaxation, happiness and joy. Similar to pine trees for Christmas holiday in the West, Vietnamese also use many plants and flowers to decorate their houses on this occasion. The little peach flower is the signal of spring and it makes the peach tree to become a popular and traditional decoration on New Year holiday of Vietnamese people.  From the 23rd day of Tet, Vietnamese people have started to buy peach at gardens or spring flower markets. It is believed that peach blossom to be able to protect against devils and ghosts, bring peace and calmness into the host’s life. (Photo:VietnamPlus) 

Quang An is not only the largest flower market in Hanoi but also the largest in the north. Visiting the flower market has become a hobby for many Hanoians as the freshness of colorful and fragrant flowers displayed here is a special treat to their souls. A variety of flowers are transported to Hanoi from other provinces and cities to meet the increasing demand for Tet holiday, but peach blossoms and kumquat trees are still the most popular flowers for Tet. The near-Tet atmosphere can be felt on every street. People are more friendly, easy-going and relaxed. For every Vietnamese, Tet triggers special emotions and memories. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

 Every year when the Spring arrives, Hanoians eagerly visit flower markets to buy their favourite flowers and plants to decorate their homes. What is special about this traditional Tet flower market is that it only meets once a year, from the 15th to the 30th day of the last lunar month. The market is more and more crowded as Tet draws near, creating a distinctive lively atmosphere of the holiday in the capital city. Most Vietnamese people start preparations for Tet as early as a month before the festival. They believe that flowers and ornamental plants will brighten their homes and bring good luck for the family in the next year. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

Flower markets are popular destinations for Hanoi people ahead of the Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival. They come to enjoy the atmosphere and buy Tet flowers and bonsai trees, particularly peach blossoms and kumquat. Quang An flower market is a well-known destination. In the old days, farmers from the flower-growing areas of Ngoc Ha, Tu Lien, Nghi Tam, Nhat Tan and Quang Ba wards brought their flowers and plants to sell in the market on the occasion of Tet. Nowadays, Tet flowers are sold across Hanoi. However, many people in the capital still keep the habit of going to traditional markets to buy flowers and no less importantly, to enjoy the specific atmosphere there. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

Peach blossoms sold at Quang An Flower Market come from famous peach blossom villages in Hanoi such as Nhat Tan and Phu Thuong villages. Nhat Tan earned its fame with big blossoms and thick pink petals arranged into multilayers around the fresh yellow stigma. According to local farmers, the process of planting peach trees and working to create beautiful shapes with them is time-consuming. As the peach trees bloom, they are cut into smaller branches to be sold to Hanoians. Nowadays, Nhat Tan’s peach growers make the peach tree bloom on the right occasion even when the weather is not favourable. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

In addition to peach blossom, many types of flowers including lilies, rose and orchid are also sold at the Quang An Flower Market. Arriving at the market for the first time, people will be likely to be fascinated by the countless flower stalls at all types and colours. The flowers come from gardens in Hanoi’s suburban areas such as Tay Tuu, Dong Anh, Gia Lam and Me Linh. Some types of flowers are transported from Sa Pa or Da Lat or some even imported overseas. The market is a paradise for retailers because its vendors offer wholesale flowers at a very reasonable price. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

For many people, visiting flower market is an indispensable habit which signals the arrival of the new year. The traditional Tet flower market only meets once a year, from the 15th to the 30th day of the last lunar month. The market becomes more and more crowded as Tet draws near, creating a distinctive lively atmosphere of the holiday in the capital city. Most Vietnamese people start preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year) as early as a month before the festival. They believe that flowers and ornamental plants will brighten their homes and bring good luck for the family in the following year. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Despite impacts caused by COVID-19, Quang An Flower Market is less crowded than usual, but visitors still feel the hustle and bustle. Tet is the most important festival of the year for Vietnamese people and a time for family reunions. In Vietnam, it’s common to see Kumquat trees decorating houses everywhere during Tet and the trees are seen as magical things as people believe they bring good fortune, long life and strengthen family ties. Most Hanoians live in small houses and small streets, they want to bring a natural and living space to their rooms so they can enjoy the greenery at home. (Photo: VietnamPlus) 

Wild peach branches are transported to Quang An Flower Market to serve the demand of local residents. Wild peach blossom often has a lighter pink than those grown in Hanoi. Although each branch may cost several millions of dong it is still chosen by many customers. It doesn’t only helps decorate their house but also bring natural energy to the families. The number of wild peach blossom on sale at the market has been decreased substantially after the government banned the sale of wild peach blossom trees. Earlier, The Prime Minister requested localities to prevent the exploitation of wild peach blossom trees in mountainous areas and transported them to urban areas. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

After the government banned the sale of wild peach blossom trees, many traders have switched to selling apricot and plum blossoms. During the Tet which falls in February, a lot of Vietnamese use the plants and flowers to decorate their houses in order to create a lively atmosphere and colourful touch aligned with the enthusiastic and cheerful spirits of the holiday. As the apricot blossom only blooms once a year, they believe it will bring happiness and good fortune for a new year. In that sense, many families shop for flowers, plants, and apricot blossoms ahead of Tet, with the hope of having luck in their house. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Quang An flower market is known as the largest wholesale market for fresh flowers in Hanoi. Larger branches and bigger peach trees are sold across the Au Co road.  Flower growers from the neighbouring areas like Tay Tuu, Me Linh or Dong Anh bring their flowers here to sell to small traders or retailers. Some flowers are transported from Da Lat city (Lam Dong province) or imported from China to serve the needs of people during the Tet. Most Hanoians live in small houses, they want to bring a natural and lively space to their rooms so they can enjoy the greenery at home. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The two kinds of flowers widely sold and purchased during Tet are hoa mai (ochna integerrima) and hoa dao (peach blossoms). The warm pink of the peach blossoms matches well with the dry, cold weather in the north and Hanoi in particular. Tet will not be a real Tet if there is no sight of the two kinds of flower in every home. According to traders at Quang An Flower Market, each branch of peach blossoms is often priced at between 80,000 and 300,000 VND (VND (3.5-13 USD). On the first day of the 12th lunar month, peach blossoms sold very well as people buy them to serve their worship. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Quang An Flower Market is opened quite early these days. Flowers are sold until the late afternoon. People often buy peach blossoms to their worship since the first day of the 12th lunar month. The price of peach blossom this year is higher than 2020 due to huge demand during the Tet. Small branches are priced 80,000 -100,000 VND while medium-sized ones can be sold at 400,000 VND. The price could be higher, depending on the size of the branch. Despite the price of peach blossom is high but many people buy peach blossom at the beginning of the 12th lunar month because it is the symbol of the new year. (Photo:VietnamPlus)

Many small traders are quite excited and expect a happy Tet when peach blossom this year are sold at a good price. Peach blossom is not only a flower but it has become an integral part in the life of Hanoians. As a traditional feature, every family will buy one or some flowers that appear only in Tet; if in the South, yellow apricot flower is the most common, in the North, people usually purchase peach blossom for adornment. The main reason for this difference is the characteristics of the flowers. While peach trees grow well in cold weather, orchid flowers just can survive and bloom in tropical lands with lots of sunshine. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

As the Tet holiday approaches, people in Hanoi flock to Quang An market in Tay Ho district to buy peach blossom trees as well as kumquat and ornamental trees. Tet is the most important festival of the year for Vietnamese people and a time for family reunions. In Vietnam, it’s common to see Kumquat trees decorating houses everywhere during Tet and the trees are seen as magical things as people believe they bring good fortune, long life and strengthen family ties. Most want to bring a natural and living space to their rooms so they can enjoy the greenery at home. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Peach blossom branches at Quang An Flower Market in Tay Ho district, Hanoi, are distributed to many regions of the country during Tet festival. Traders said the price of peach blossom this year was a little bit higher than the previous due to scarcity. Small branches are priced 80,000-100,000 VND while medium-sized ones can be sold at 400,000 VND. Locals are excited with Nhat Tan peach flowers. It is a typical type of flowers in the spring in the North. To meet the increasing demand of Hanoians, farmers who grow peach blossom flowers have applied special cultivation techniques to help flowers blossoming early. (Photo: VietnamPlus)