The market for offerings on the full moon day of January in Hanoi is quite lively, with an increase in the number of buyers compared to normal days. Most essential items are “cooled down” in price compared to the Lunar New Year, without any “overpricing” situation.
According to folklore, offering on the full moon day of January is more significant than offering throughout the year. This is a special occasion, the full moon day of January is considered one of the most important festivals in a year according to the Lunar calendar, taking place right after the Lunar New Year. According to the observation from the morning of February 23rd (the 13th day of January), at traditional markets in Hanoi such as Hang Da market, Hang Be market, Hom Duc Vien market, Kim Lien market… the number of customers shopping for offerings on the full moon day has started to increase. According to the observation, the price of some types of fresh food, fruits, and fake flowers decreases compared to the Lunar New Year.
Each betel nut and betel leaf costs from 10,000 to 25,000 VND, depending on the beauty of the betel nut – Photo: Minh Quyet – TTXVN
Specifically, the price of pork ranges from 120,000 to 160,000 VND/kg, beef ranges from 220,000 to 270,000 VND/kg, feathered chicken ranges from 120,000 to 140,000 VND/kg. The price of live rooster ranges from 130,000 to 150,000 VND/kg. Many poultry business owners said that although the demand for buying chicken for offering on the full moon day of January is high, the selling price has decreased by about 10,000 VND/kg compared to the previous Lunar New Year.
Not only is the price of fresh food stable, but also the price of vegetables and fruits remains stable despite the increase in consumption. The price of fruit on the full moon day is higher than on normal days, but it is cheaper than the Lunar New Year, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 VND/kg.
In detail, some types of fruits that customers buy a lot include apples priced from 40,000 to 50,000 VND/kg; white dragon fruit priced from 45,000 to 50,000 VND/kg, red dragon fruit priced from 65,000 to 70,000 VND/kg, Cat Chu mango priced from 50,000 to 60,000 VND/kg; sapphire oranges priced from 35,000 to 65,000 VND/kg; Buddha’s hand fruit ranges from 30,000 to 100,000 VND/piece (smaller and bigger types).
The price of green vegetables has gradually “cooled down”, currently, cabbage and broccoli are priced at 15,000 VND/kg, green mustard leaves at 10,000 VND/piece, white lettuce at 15,000 VND/piece, water spinaches at 10,000 VND/bunch, turnips at 8,000 -10,000 VND/piece.
However, only the price of betel nut and betel leaf remains at a high level, equivalent to the Lunar New Year. Traders said that the betel nut has bloomed early this year, so the supply is limited, the price from the Day of Kitchen God to now is twice as high as in previous years. At this time, each betel nut and betel leaf costs from 10,000 to 25,000 VND, depending on the beauty of the betel nut.
The trading activities at markets on the full moon day of January are as bustling as the Lunar New Year, with many crowded stalls. Especially, the consumption of fresh flowers during this time is strong. Although the price of fresh flowers on the full moon day of January has decreased compared to the Lunar New Year, it is not significant. The price of chrysanthemum flowers a day before the Lunar New Year is about 5,000 – 7,000 VND/flower, now it is only 4,000-5,000 VND/flower; the price of roses now ranges from 10,000-12,000 VND/flower; betel nut flowers cost 15,000 VND/branch, all have decreased compared to the Lunar New Year…
In addition to going shopping on their own, the service of ordering and delivering cooked food to home which is both delicious and convenient is considered to be a solution that many families choose on the full moon day of January. The price of the offering tray is quite reasonable, from 1 million to 1.8 million VND/tray, with all the dishes such as steamed chicken with lemon leaves, fried spring rolls, mushroom soup, multicolored sticky rice, gio cha….
