Traditional Tet favourites like calligraphy markets and flower fairs have begun in HCMC in the week before the Lunar New Year.
On Pham Ngoc Thach and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets in front of the Labour Cultural House, dozens of young and old calligraphers (ong do) in traditional Vietnamese dress are displaying their calligraphy skills and selling Vietnamese or Chinese calligraphy written in black and yellow ink on red paper. They are New Year greetings wishing people happiness, wealth or longevity.
A calligraphy market has opened on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in front of the HCMC Youth Cultural House in District 1. Fifty artists from the cultural house's calligraphy club and neighbouring provinces will show off skills at the market.
Nguyen Hoang Viet, deputy head of club, said: "This year the ong do sit on mats arranged in an oval shape symbolising peace while behind the stalls are mai (ochna) and dao (peach) trees to lend colour to the streets. Lion and dragon dances will evoke the excitement of spring."
Visitors can buy the calligraphy works at VND50,000 – 700,000 depending on the craftsmanship, and materials.
Another calligraphy market on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai features nearly 25 artists including members of the Workers Cultural House's Vietnamese Calligraphy Club and students from city universities.
Le Lan, head of the club, said: "Thanks to the good response in the last two years, we decide to organise Ong do street as cultural trait in HCMC during Tet." Both markets will remain open until February 13.