Celebrating new year in style

NHAT TAN PEACH BLOSSOM VILLAGE

There are numerous flower villages near Ha Noi, but the most vibrant one should be Nhat Tan. Farms are in neighborhood to Quang Ba flower market. The most common sight is peach blossom farms of all colors and sizes and shapes as well. Peach blossoms are the refined pursuit of Vietnamese northerners in the Lunar New Year.

Kumquat tree farms are equally crowded owing to their succulent, juicy fruits of even and eye catching orange. These days, Nhat Tan village is loaded with visitor from all walks of life to come pick peach blossoms and kumquat trees. In addition, neighboring flower farms specialized in penses, common lantanas or violets… are also fine check-in spots among the young.

CU DA VERMICELLI VILLAGE

Beside soya sauce, vermicelli is another signature treat of Cu Da old village, Cu Khe commune, Thanh Oai district, Ha Noi. As a staple for any Lunar New Year feast, in several months, Cu Da villagers enter a race with time to produce vermicelli to meet a big surge in demands. In run-up to new year, the production vibe of the village grows even more hectic as courtyards and scaffolds, even roofs are deployed to have vermicelli dried. Visitors to Cu Da village are dazzled with gleaming gold vermicelli strands mingling with grave old brown shades of mossy old roofs. Gold vermicelli aside, old fashioned white milled vermicelli of Cu Da village is also hugely popular, particularly in the Lunar New Year. Vermicelli is famously chewy, but still soft, not flaky, sweet and salty.

PHU DIEN POMELO VILLAGE

Out of the Tet fruit tray, pomelo is positioned in the center, above a green banana bunch to represent material wealth, affluence and fulfilling joys. Most popular quality pomelos are from Dien. The pomelos are grown in Phu Dien (Ha Noi), looking bright yellow, lustrous on the outside and particularly fragrant, hiding juicy, dry, crunchy and tenderly sweet zests on the inside. Thanks to its soothing sweetness and durable quality, Dien pomelos have become a staple specialty for the Lunar New Year. It’s also a gift home for friends and families for migrants who are back for Lunar New Year reunions.

YEN PHU JOLT STICK VILLAGE

Yen Phu jolt stick village in Tay Ho district (Ha Noi) is one of the established jolt stick hubs. In the run-up to the Tet, passengers on Yen Phu embankment can easily spot visually pleasing jolt stick fields. Jolt stick bunches, once packed, are delivered to marketplaces and stores to conjure the divine ambience of the Tet.

BAT TRANG POTTERY VILLAGE

In Bat Trang pottery village (Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district, Ha Noi), around 14km from the downtown, is famed for its pottery craft. Visitors to Bat Trang in the Lunar New Year are pleased to spot ceramic vases and pots on display every nook and cranny. Dropping in a pottery workshop of Bat Trang, visitors may take a close look at the processing of those flower vases, kitchen wares or colorful figurines. The pottery market is the most striking stop that gathers hundreds of crowded kiosks that put on sale countless ceramic items such as kitchen wares, vases and pots to pictures, wind chimes or necklaces… In particular, in the run-up to the Tet, visitors flock to the market in droves, not just to stroll around, but also to pick their favorites for decoration.

VAN PHUC SILK VILLAGE

Van Phuc silk village in Van Phuc ward, Ha Dong district, is around 10km from downtown of Ha Noi. This famously quality silk village dates back to a millennium ago. The Silk Path – the main axis leading to the village glows with over 1,000 umbrellas hung up high. It’s the visual highlight targeting visitors that acts as a message of welcome to Van Phuc silk village. Along the path lies crowded silk kiosks that sell all types of clothing, bags or silk scrolls of all colors and velvety decorative patterns. Visitors should also feel free to visit the weaving workshop and take a close-up at the production of soft silky scrolls, from weaving and yarn gluing to weaving and dying… In springtime, visitors to Van Phuc village can easily pick a spring ao dai or stunning silk scarves.

TAY TUU FLOWER VILLAGE

Around 20km West of downtown of Ha Noi, Tay Tuu flower village is indeed a major supplier of flowers to the capital and its vicinity. In the run-up to the Tet, the whole village is lit up with countless floral shades of roses, daisies, gerberas, lilies or violets…

Hoa Quynh

(Source: Vietnam Today 1.2022)