The beloved Chuong market on the banks of the Hoang River in Thanh Hoa only takes place on the morning of the 6th day of the lunar new year. People come to the market not only to buy and sell goods, but also to engage in a playful tomato fight. The more tomatoes you get hit with, the more lucky you are believed to be in the coming year...
On the 6th day of the Lunar New Year, thousands of people from all over the province of Thanh Hoa gather in Xom Giang, Dong Hoang commune, Dong Son district, to participate in the unique and one-of-a-kind Chuong market, which is only organized once a year. This market is called Chuong market, but it also has other names such as Choang market, Giai Xui market, An Oan market…
According to the elderly people in the locality, the reason for having this market is during the time of King Le, on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year, a general was chased by enemy forces and passed through this place. To avoid being detected by the enemy, the general ordered his soldiers and villagers to gather for a market.
When the enemy soldiers arrived, they saw a large crowd of people and thought it was just a normal rural market, so they let their guard down. Seeing the enemy soldiers off guard, the general immediately ordered an attack, catching the enemy by surprise and killing them all. To commemorate the general’s victory over the enemy, the local people hold this market every year on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year.
Chuong market is organized on a large strip of land along the Hoang River, bordering the three districts of Dong Son, Thieu Hoa, and Trieu Son. To make it easy for people to attend, the local authorities have temporarily built a bamboo bridge connecting Dong Son and Trieu Son districts.Every year, from early morning, people of all ages flock to the riverbank to participate in the market and buy and sell goods. Rain or shine, the number of people attending the market remains high. The market starts early in the morning and sometimes lasts until late at night.Folklore says, “People would rather abandon their children and grandchildren, but they wouldn’t miss attending Chuong market on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year.” This shows the importance of this unique market.At the market, many people prefer to buy and consume traditional dishes and food items to pray for good luck in the new year.The blindfolded duck catching game brings joy to both players and spectators.People come to “fight” and throw tomatoes at each other at the market.Tomatoes are the best-selling item at this market.After buying tomatoes, young people divide them and throw them at each other at the market.Tomatoes are often squeezed or split in half to make the juice splash when they hit the “target”.Despite getting soaked, most young men and women are happy and enjoy the experience.
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