Bamboo used for making Tet poles is increasing in price every day.
(Baonghean.vn) - Although the Lunar New Year is still nearly two weeks away, people in many localities in the province have already erected New Year's poles (cây nêu). Several related services, such as selling bamboo and providing complete pole-making packages, have flourished, adding to the festive atmosphere of the New Year celebrations.
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The tradition of erecting New Year's poles is spreading throughout the country. These days, traveling along National Highways 1A, 7, 46, and provincial roads, one can already see people setting up poles to welcome the New Year.Tet.Many stalls selling bamboo for making New Year's poles have appeared along both sides of the road. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| A trader in Thanh Luong commune (Thanh Chuong district) said: Learning from last year's "sold out" experience, this year, bamboo traders are going to mountainous districts early to hunt for bamboo, searching for bamboo gardens, and if they find beautiful stalks, they buy entire clumps for several million dong. They wait until closer to Tet (Lunar New Year) to bring trucks up to cut and transport them back to the lowlands for retail sale. Photo: Huy Thu |
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Bamboo traders often form groups of 3-5 people to support each other during buying, selling, hiring vehicles, transportation, and delivery. During this time, almost all districts and towns in the province have bamboo traders making New Year's poles. In Vinh City, tens of thousands of bamboo poles, reeds, and other materials for making New Year's poles are gathered from all over the province, with some transported from the North. (Photo: Huy Thu) |
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| People buying bamboo for New Year's poles usually want to buy early to choose the best quality bamboo. According to local experience, to make a beautiful New Year's pole, you need to choose long, straight bamboo stalks of moderate size. (Photo: Huy Thư) |
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| Specifically, when buying bamboo to make a New Year's pole, it must have a beautifully curved top to hang flags or lanterns on. Bamboo with broken tops or withered branches is rarely chosen. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Mr. Nguyen Hong Son from Trung Son commune (Do Luong district) said, “This year we started buying and selling bamboo poles earlier than last year. We had a connection beforehand, so on the 12th day of the 12th lunar month, we drove our car to Tuong Duong to buy 700 bamboo poles to sell at various locations in Do Luong. Hopefully, the goods will sell well.” Photo: Huy Thu |
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| The price of bamboo needed to make a New Year's pole ranges from 80,000 to 150,000 VND per pole, increasing further towards the city center. With the belief that "no one knows how many cakes we cook or how much meat we buy for Tet, but erecting a New Year's pole in front of our house, though inexpensive, creates a vibrant Tet atmosphere," many families erect New Year's poles. For many, acquiring a bamboo pole is an important step in preparing for Tet. (Photo: Huy Thu) |
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| Along with the bustling bamboo trade, related services such as selling lanterns, LED lights, and flashing lights are also quite lively. In particular, the service of making "complete New Year's poles" has flourished throughout rural areas. These poles, complete with LED lights, lanterns, and the national flag, ready to be erected, are sold for 350,000 to 500,000 VND per pole, with some even selling for around 1 million VND. As Tet approaches, demand increases and bamboo prices rise daily and vary by region... Photo: Huy Thu |
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| The act of planting a ceremonial pole to welcomeTraditional TetThe revival of Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations is not only bringing a vibrant and joyful atmosphere to localities, contributing to the preservation of traditional customs, but also creating jobs and income for many people. Photo: Huy Thu |
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| Bamboo poles adorned with elaborate LED lights and lanterns have become a distinctive feature of Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations along the roads in Nghe An province. (Photo: Huy Thu) |
