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The Dinh Ca Market in Vinh Lai commune, Hai Phong, opens only once a year on the morning of the second day of Tet. More than a trading venue, the market serves as an annual reunion, strengthening community ties.
Wishes for the New Year
Before dawn breaks on the second day of Tet, the road leading to the Dinh Ca communal house is already crowded. Thousands of residents from Vinh Lai and surrounding areas gather to welcome spring, shop and pray for good fortune.
An unwritten rule defines the market: no bargaining. Locals believe a smooth first market of the year signals good business in the months ahead, with selling out — rather than profit margins — seen as a sign of good luck.
According to Bui Van Duc, former chairman of Tan Huong commune, the market is closely tied to the history of the communal house. For centuries, it has been part of local festivals and spiritual life. Despite many ups and downs, the market has at times moved to different locations but has endured.
A living cultural tradition
Beyond Vinh Lai, the market also draws visitors from neighboring communes. Pham Dinh Quyet, a resident of Ninh Giang commune, said he visits the market every year on the second day of Tet, not necessarily for shopping, but for enjoying the calm, festive atmosphere.
Though decades, Dinh Ca Market has retained its vitality. For locals, it is more than a marketplace; it is shared memory and a bond to tighten generations.
Amid the rush of modern life, the once-a-year market preserves a simple charm carrying with it hopes for a peace and prosperity in the new year.
Hai Phong News
