Duck prices increase sharply on Dragon Boat Festival

At the traditional markets in Vinh, the market for goods for this traditional holiday has begun to bustle a few days before the main festival. However, the most bustling and bustling buying and selling activities are in the early morning of the main festival day. Photo: Quang An

According to beliefs, eating duck meat symbolizes getting rid of bad luck and wishing for more luck. On the other hand, from May 5 onwards, ducks have entered the season. At that time, the ducks become fatter and have more delicious, firmer meat, and this is also the time of intense heat (Dai Thu season), so many people choose dishes made from duck. Therefore, the price of duck on this day increases. Live ducks cost from 140,000 - 150,000 VND/duck, wild ducks cost 150,000 - 170,000 VND/duck; and mandarin ducks cost 240,000 VND/duck (an average increase of 30,000 - 50,000 VND/duck compared to normal days). Photo: Quang An

Duck butchering services are also very popular, and prices are higher than usual. Each cleaned duck costs 20,000 - 25,000 VND/duck (an increase of 5,000 - 10,000 VND/duck depending on the market). Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, a small business owner and duck slaughtering service specialist at Hung Dung market (Vinh city) said: From yesterday until now, her slaughterhouse has received orders for about 500 ducks; selling about 500 - 700 ducks during the Doan Ngo festival. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Prices of other items serving the Duanwu Festival such as: sour fruits (lychees, plums, peaches, pineapples...) increased slightly, especially plums due to the end of the season so the price doubled (fluctuating from 80,000 - 85,000 VND/kg of plums); chrysanthemums of all kinds increased by 2,000 VND/branch compared to before. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Votive offerings are also a popular choice. Photo: Quang An

Not only the traditional markets are bustling, but also the Facebook pages of clean food stores and individuals have previously posted offerings for the Dragon Boat Festival at prices ranging from several hundred thousand VND to 1 million VND/tray. In the photo: An offering tray costs 250,000 VND. In addition, pre-made dishes such as banh troi, five-color sticky rice... are also being sold and many people have ordered them. Photo: Thanh Phuc

According to folk beliefs, the Doan Ngo Festival (the 5th day of the 5th lunar month) or also known as the Insect Extermination Festival, Vietnamese people often prepare offerings, burn incense to thank heaven and earth for a bountiful harvest and express their wishes for insects not to grow so that plants can flower and bear fruit well.