The taste of Tet in Saigon
The bright sunlight spreads a golden hue over the bustling streets of Tan Binh. In the bustling heart of this suburban district lies a market seemingly dedicated to those who miss their country in the Central Vietnam’s drizzling rain and chilly weather of the days before Têt (the New Lunar Year): Ba Hoa Market.
At Ba Hoa Market, you can witness many things amidst the calls of vendors and the alluring aroma of traditional dishes.ng.
The road leading to the market comes alive at dawn, transforming into a bustling outdoor market.The merchants have set up their stalls. That is a blend of fresh products, sparkling fabrics, and goods rich in the cultural identity of Quang Nam.
I walked in, strolled through the narrow aisle beside the market, and felt as if time had turned back.The air is filled with the fragrance of spices, herbs, and even breakfast stalls. morning. And it is not just a market, but also a meeting place, with heavy accents that carry the distinctive tones of the rural areas. Quang countryside.
My feet slowed down. I gaze at the traditional pastries in the row of shops along the path. I gaze at the traditional cakes in the shop along the path. From bánh thuẩn to bánh tổ. Then there are sticky rice cakes, fried cakes, and even sugar bowls with a slightly dark color like in the old days.the old days.

During the Lunar New Year, people display offerings to worship their ancestors – various types of sticky rice cakes wrapped in colored paper – green, red, yellow… vibrant as if to attract the attention of passersby.Going to the market. These are not just simple decorations but also profound symbols of reverence, reflecting the cultural identity of Quang Nam during the Tet holidays.
Mi Quang is sold all year-round. Those are bowls of noodles with tender chicken, tender ribs, now with added quail eggs but still always served with very little broth. broth. Next to that is a symphony of fresh vegetables, from bean sprouts to lettuce. to lettuce. Oh my goodness, the teeth are so delicious!
For people like me, who have long been away from the warm embrace of our homeland, this market is not just a place to buy and sell goods; it is also a place to connect.The market is like a bridge, carrying the images, flavors, and sounds of Quang Nam to Saigon.
A Quang Nam proverb echoes in my mind: “Quang Nam people love to argue.” But this proverb reflects the character of the people here: their straightforwardness.honesty.
This market was established in the 1960s by Mrs. Hoa, a woman with an entrepreneurial spirit and a love for Quang Nam. The market quickly became a refuge for migrants like her. Today, she has gone far away, but her legacy still exists in the genuine trade of the people here.here.
When I left, the back-and-forth chatter between the seller and the buyer—almost all heavily influenced by the rural accents of Quang—made someone far from home like me feel even more nostalgic.my heart. Everything reminds me that no matter how far we go, the spirit of our homeland always exist.
Chợ Bà Hoa is not just a market; it is a part of my distant homeland…
Ngọc Trân
