The bustling market in the early morning, just days before the Lunar New Year.
The market offers a wide range of dong leaves, catering to the diverse needs of customers. The wild dong leaves originate from the provinces of Lao Cai and Tuyen Quang, while the homegrown variety is sourced from Thanh Oai in Hanoi and Phu Ly in Ha Nam.
Ms. Ngo Thu Ha, a seasoned dong leaf vendor at the Tran Quy Cap market, shares that this year, there is an abundance of wild dong leaves, which are more affordable than their homegrown counterparts. Ms. Ha sells bundles of 50 wild dong leaves for 55,000-60,000 VND, while the homegrown leaves, available in various sizes, range from 80,000-100,000 VND per bundle.
In addition to dong leaves, the market also offers other essential ingredients for making traditional Chung cakes, such as lạt (a type of string used to tie the cakes) and banana leaves. The lạt is sold in bundles of 10,000-15,000 VND each.
During the festive season, each vendor can sell thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dong leaves daily.
The vendors cater to both wholesale and retail customers, creating a bustling atmosphere along the 100-meter street.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Mui, a long-time vendor at the market, has been selling dong leaves for the Lunar New Year for a decade. Although she has only been open for a few days, Ms. Mui has already sold 50,000 leaves, all sourced from Tuyen Quang and priced at 50,000 VND per bundle. She is currently expecting another shipment of 100,000 leaves to meet the increasing demand as the holiday approaches.
Ms. Mui meticulously selects the best leaves for her customers, discarding any that are small, unsightly, or wilted.
According to the vendors’ experience, choosing fresh and resilient leaves with a vibrant green color is essential for achieving a natural green hue in the Chung cakes. The leaves should also be of moderate size to ensure they can fully enclose the cake’s filling.
Mr. Duong, a resident of Quan Hoa, Cau Giay, cycles to the traditional dong leaf market at Tran Quy Cap to handpick the freshest and most beautiful leaves.
Mr. Duong shares that he plans to make 50 Chung cakes with his family and friends to celebrate the Lunar New Year, cherishing the warmth and unity of the festive season.
Bundles of dong leaves, securely tied to bicycles, are ready to deliver the essence of the Lunar New Year to every household.
The Oldest Hanoi Dong Leaf Market Bustling from Dawn to Dusk
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