The market for paintings and hangings celebrating longevity in early spring is bustling.

The Nguyen Duy clan (a branch in Thanh Dong commune, Thanh Chuong) has 6 elders who have reached even ages (70 and 80) this year. Mr. Nguyen Duy Tai, a member of the Nguyen Duy clan council, said: "The longevity gifts for elders in the clan who have reached even ages are usually a longevity painting with a clear message of congratulations and a lucky money envelope at the beginning of the year. The total amount according to the clan's regulations is 500,000 VND."

"It is convenient and practical to give away all the red envelopes, but it lacks solemnity, so every year, the family spends 200,000 VND to buy a longevity painting and 300,000 VND to put in the red envelopes. This year, we ordered 6 longevity paintings to give to the elderly," Mr. Tai added.

On Tet 2024, Mr. Nguyen Phuong Mau's family (Dai Dong Commune, Thanh Chuong) held a double longevity celebration for his parents, Mr. Nguyen Phuong Thi and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh, who both turned 70. Mr. Mau said that in addition to the longevity scroll that his children and grandchildren ordered to hang in the house, from the afternoon of the first day until now, many people have come to wish the two grandparents a happy new year.

Among them, relatives, in-laws and friends all brought gifts of longevity paintings plated in copper, lacquer, embroidered velvet... In total, there were about a few dozen paintings. Not to mention, today (the fourth day of Tet) is the official banquet for the elderly, so the number of longevity paintings and hangings is even greater.

In recent years, due to changes in people's trends and tastes, the longevity painting and hanging market has become less vibrant, but in many places, especially in rural areas, longevity paintings and hangings are still the preferred choice of many people as gifts to celebrate the elderly.

Mr. Tran Ba ​​Hai (Cao Son commune, Anh Son) said: “No matter what, if you only have a “gift” (only an envelope) when celebrating a birthday, it will not feel solemn. Even if there is a painting or a banner in the house, the guests will know who gave it and the meaningful wishes. Therefore, for relatives who have even ages, I still prioritize choosing paintings or banners as birthday gifts.”

According to the survey, this year, the price of longevity paintings has decreased slightly compared to previous years by about 5-10%. Specifically, the price of each bronze-plated longevity painting with a mirror frame ranges from 170,000 - 350,000 VND (depending on size), lacquer paintings cost from 120,000 - 200,000 VND (depending on size); bronze longevity characters cost from 500,000 VND - several million VND (depending on size); velvet embroidered characters, bronze frames cost from several hundred thousand to a million VND. Of which, bronze-plated paintings are the most popular choice.

Mr. Nguyen Phung Khoi, a long-time seller of longevity paintings and banners in the Dinh market area (Do Luong town) said: “Usually after the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, we import these products from Nam Dinh. And starting from the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, families with elders of even age order large paintings and banners to hold ceremonies for their parents. As for the paintings and banners that people buy to wish their elders a long life, they start to become active from the afternoon of the first day of Tet, but the best-selling days are on the third and fourth days of Tet when families organize banquets for their elders.”

According to Mr. Khoi, this year, due to the large number of elderly people in the district and neighboring districts, this item is quite popular. In addition to retail, he also sells wholesale to stores from Thanh Chuong to Anh Son. The amount of goods he supplies to the market during the Giap Thin New Year is up to about 1,200 pieces.

These days, along streets such as Ho Tung Mau, Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Hung Dao, Phan Chu Trinh… (Vinh city), shops selling longevity banners are also quite busy.

Ms. Nga Thang, owner of a longevity painting and hanging shop on Tran Hung Dao Street, said: “Compared to 5-7 years ago, the market for longevity paintings and hangings is less vibrant now as people have switched to giving other items or cash. However, for many people, longevity paintings and hangings are irreplaceable items when wishing longevity to the elderly. Compared to last year, the amount of goods consumed this year has increased by about 20-30%.”