Every year, on the 23rd of December, Ha Tinh people are busy preparing offerings to “send” Ong Cong and Ong Tao to heaven. Therefore, the market for offerings on this occasion also becomes more vibrant.
The ceremony to worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao is one of the cultural beauties of Vietnamese people in general and Ha Tinh people in particular. On this occasion, everyone wants to prepare a thoughtful and neat ceremony with wishes for their family. It is noted that at some traditional markets, fruit and offering shops, small traders have displayed a variety of offerings to Ong Cong and Ong Tao. Purchasing power began to increase from the 21st and was busiest in the early morning of the 23rd of the 12th lunar month.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong - an employee of the agricultural products store of Gia Phuc Cooperative (Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Ha Tinh City) said: " Purchasing power near the Tao Quan worshiping day increases compared to normal days because customers buy more offerings, mainly fruits, fresh flowers, areca nuts, betel leaves, votive offerings, banh chung...".
Fruit stalls at Ha Tinh City market are crowded with shoppers, everyone quickly chooses the best fruits for the offering ceremony. According to records, the price of fresh fruits at this time has increased by 5 - 10,000 VND/kg, the common price of fruits such as oranges, mangoes, green-skinned grapefruits, dragon fruit, longans... is from 35 - 50,000 VND/kg.
According to folk beliefs, carp is the vehicle that carries the Kitchen God to heaven to report on the family's activities during the year, so this is an indispensable offering in the worship ceremony. In the market, released red carp are sold in all sizes.
Mr. Mai Xuan Thanh - owner of an ornamental fish facility on Cao Thang Street (Ha Tinh City) said: Every Tao Quan festival season, we sell 500 - 600 kg of fish. The most customers are on the afternoon of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd of the 12th lunar month. In addition to retail customers, we also import wholesale for small traders in the city and districts. Customers mainly choose medium-sized fish, priced from 20,000 - 40,000 VND/3 fish and choose agile and healthy fish.
The price of fresh flowers has increased slightly (increased by 1,000 - 2,000 VND/flower) compared to normal days. The most popular flowers are chrysanthemums, gladiolus, lilies priced at 8,000 VND/flower, roses at 10,000 VND/flower.
Although the number of customers has increased compared to normal days, traders said that this year's Ong Tao market is still not as crowded and bustling as previous years. Ms. Le Thi Hoa - a trader selling votive paper at Ha Tinh City Market said: " A complete set of offerings for Ong Cong and Ong Tao ranges from 50,000 to 80,000 VND. On the 22nd and early morning of the 23rd of the 12th lunar month, there were more customers buying offerings than usual but still not as crowded as previous years. Partly because of the general market, partly because people buy at stores, order online instead of going to traditional markets."
In particular, this year the price of areca nuts and betel nuts is quite expensive, averaging from 10,000 to 15,000 VND/plate (1 areca nut and 1 betel leaf). According to traders, 2023 is a leap year, areca nuts ripen early, the supply for this occasion is not much so the price is high. Traders also commented that this year's Lunar New Year, the price of betel nuts and areca nuts will increase further.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuc (Thach Ha town) bought offerings at Cay market (Thach Ha) and shared: " This morning, I went to the market to buy offerings such as fruits, fresh flowers, areca nuts and betel, a set of votive paper, carp to release... to make a ceremony to worship Ong Tao. The offerings are not too many, but I always choose them carefully and meticulously, showing my sincerity."
In addition to traditional shopping, the online market is also bustling with offerings to the Kitchen Gods. Products such as jelly carp, sticky rice with gac fruit, sweet rice balls, five-color sticky rice, chicken raspberries, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, etc. are ordered by many people.
Khanh Ngoc
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