(VOVworld)- From midnight of the 7^th day to the morning of 8th day of the first lunar month, people flock to a unique market in Vu Ban district in the northern province of Nam Dinh to wish for a prosperous and lucky new year. In the market, both the buyers and the sellers, no matter how high or low the price, only wish to buy luck for the New Year. The Vieng market festival has become a mainstay of the Red River culture.

Since the afternoon of the 7^th day of the first lunar month, which falls on February 6^th this year, people from the northern provinces flock to Vieng market in Nam Dinh province. Nobody knows when the tradition began. There are actually two Vieng markets in Nam Dinh- Vieng Phu market in Kim Thai commune, Vu Ban district and Vieng Chua market in Nam Giang township, Nam Truc district. According to local elders, the Vieng market meets just once in the early year and provides an opportunity for boys and girls to meet each other. At the Vieng market boys and girls hope to find partners as well as something to bring them luck for the whole year. Nguyen Tien Dung lives in Nam Giang township, Nam Truc district: “The Vieng market has long been considered the market of luck, where people come to buy luck without bargaining. Potatoes, vegetables, peanuts, and farm tools are for sale here. Some products are bartered without money. Some people have vegetables, some have shovels, and others have ploughs. They trade with one another, with no mention of price”.

According to popular belief, from midnight of the 7th day to the morning of the 8^th day of the first lunar month is a time for exchanges between people on earth and people in heaven, but you have to be in the market during this time. Visitors to the Vieng market never miss a chance to visit the Temple of the Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh, one of Vietnam’s four Immortals. Before visiting the market, they come to the Temple to pray for good luck for their families. Nguyen Thi An is one of the visitors:“This is the temple of Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh, one of Vietnam’s four Immortal Genies and the one who blesses Vieng market goers with luck. Everyone comes to the market to pray for peace and luck for themselves and for the country”.

By the light of candles or flash-lights, deals are concluded quickly as people believe that conserves the luck. In the fragrance of aloeswood incense, the market goers have a strong feeling that all their wishes will come true. Mr. Dung again: “Though the Vieng market is about 1 km from Dai Bi pagoda, the sound of its bell echoes from afar. The sound of the pagoda bell wakes people, refreshes their souls and encourages them to do good things”.

The Vieng Chua market in Nam Truc, which is about 25 km away, is even bigger. The items on sale in Vieng Chua market are the same as those in Vieng Phu: vegetables, farm tools, fruits and especially antiques. Nguyen Cong Hoang, who has visited the Vieng market for several years, says that things on display in the market are not necessarily for sale. Sometimes, they are just for showing other people. The most popular item on sale is roasted veal. It is considered the essential purchase at the Vieng market.