Society

Bustling rural markets in the midland region of Nghe An during the Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 7th lunar month).

Annam • August 17, 2024 09:20

Rural markets are the clearest reflection of preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival in the midland region of Nghe An province. As the festival approaches, the atmosphere at these rural markets becomes increasingly bustling and lively.

bna_1..jpg
Rural markets celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 7th lunar month) open earlier and close later than usual. During these festivals, people from all over flock to buy and sell, creating a bustling atmosphere that stretches all the way to the market gates. At Con Market in Thanh Duong commune (Thanh Chuong district), the crowds are so large that buying and selling takes place along the several hundred-meter stretch of road leading from National Highway 46C to the market entrance. (Photo: Huy Thu)
a
These days, rural markets are overflowing with bananas, with all kinds of ripe and green bananas displayed everywhere from the entrance gate to inside the market hall, most notably the royal bananas and the tribute bananas. In the photo: Banana stalls at Cau Market, Kim Lien commune (Nam Dan). Photo: Huy Thu
bna_3(1).jpg
People buying bananas for the Mid-Autumn Festival usually choose bunches that are medium-sized, not too big, not too small, and have a beautiful color. Many carefully select bunches with an even or odd number of bananas according to their personal beliefs. The price of bananas in rural markets ranges from 20,000 to 80,000 VND per bunch. Photo: Huy Thu
a
The flower and fruit stalls are crowded with sellers and buyers. Many people, when going to the Mid-Autumn Festival market to buy flowers and fruits, often prefer to choose fruits from their own gardens, which may not be as visually appealing but are clean, fresh, and delicious. Photo: Huy Thu
a
When women and mothers go to the Mid-Autumn Festival market, everyone wants to buy betel nuts that meet their expectations – large nuts, neither too old nor too young. The price of betel nuts at the Mid-Autumn Festival market is not as expensive as during Tet (Lunar New Year), only 2,000-3,000 VND per nut. Photo: Huy Thu
a
The betel nut vendors in rural markets are usually elderly people. They are also experienced in selecting betel nuts, knowing how to prepare betel quid, and arranging them on plates for offerings on the full moon day. Photo: Huy Thu
a
The atmosphere at the rural markets in Nghe An province on the full moon day is extremely lively. There are many shoppers, and after choosing their goods, they have to wait to pay; the vendors can't keep up with giving change. Photo: Huy Thu
a
According to some people shopping for the Mid-Autumn Festival, there's no need to buy too much votive paper; just enough "money, gold, and clothes" to burn according to tradition is sufficient. Burning too much votive paper is both wasteful and environmentally polluting. Photo: Huy Thu
a
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan from Nam Cat commune (Nam Dan district) said: "Today, I and some relatives went to Cau market in Kim Lien commune to buy sticky rice, chickens, betel nuts, betel leaves, and fruits to offer at the family's ancestral temple on the full moon day." Mr. Tuan was delighted to have bought three beautiful chickens for the feast. Photo: Huy Thu
a
To buy a good chicken for the Mid-Autumn Festival offering, many people have to choose carefully, ensuring it's the right weight, shape, and color. In this era of rampant chemicals, finding a "genuine" chicken that's fed on rice and corn isn't easy. Photo: Huy Thu
bna_11..jpg
Visiting a rural market on the full moon day is not only about buying and selling, and experiencing the festive atmosphere of the people in the countryside, but also about gaining a deeper understanding of the beauty of the rural markets in Nghe An province during the full moon of the seventh lunar month. Photo: Huy Thu
Bustling atmosphere at a rural market on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Video: Huy Thu

Annam