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| Many young people choose Dong Ba market for their spring photo shoots |
These days, stepping into the market, one easily encounters groups of young friends dressed in graceful ao dai, families taking their children for a stroll through the Tet market, shopping while seizing the opportunity to capture bright, joyful images. The market space is alive with the red hues of watermelons, candied ginger, and parallel sentences; the yellow of chrysanthemums and apricot blossoms; interwoven with the familiar calls of vendors... Together, they form a vivid spring tableau unique to Hue.
Tran Thi Nhi, from Huong An Ward, shared that she and her friends arranged to meet at the market for a set of spring photos. “Dong Ba market is tied to my childhood memories, from following my mother to shop for Tet to adulthood. Choosing this place as our photo backdrop is not only to preserve beautiful memories with friends, but also to express the pride of Hue people in a traditional market that has existed for more than a hundred years,” she said. According to Nhi, every corner of the market possesses its own charm; without elaborate staging, it still radiates a warm spring atmosphere.
Not only young people, but many families also view the market as a place to preserve Tet memories for their children. Nguyen Mai Linh, from Phu Xuan Ward, said she brought her children to shop and take cheerful spring photos. “I want my children to feel the traditional Tet atmosphere and better understand the old lifestyle of Hue people. What impressed me most is that the vendors here are very cheerful and welcoming when residents and visitors stop by to take pictures. Many of them even smile warmly, make space, and suggest beautiful shooting angles,” she noted. According to Linh, this openness and friendliness contribute to the market’s warm and approachable image in the hearts of locals and tourists alike.
In reality , residents and visitors taking photos at the market do not disrupt trading activities; on the contrary, it helps further promote the image of this traditional marketplace. Through photos shared on social media, the everyday beauty of Dong Ba market, from stalls filled with Tet goods to the gentle smiles of vendors, is introduced more widely, especially to younger travellers.
Ms. Bui Thi Thu Hang, Head of the Dong Ba Market Management Board, said that the Board always prioritizes environmental hygiene and the arrangement and embellishment of the market space, particularly during Tet. “We identify Dong Ba market not only as a place for shopping but also a cultural space. Therefore, we regularly coordinate with vendors to ensure cleanliness and create a tidy, convenient environment for residents and visitors to visit and take commemorative photos, especially in the days leading up to Tet. We also mobilize all resources to complete Tet decorations and create additional impressive photo spots for residents and tourists,” Ms. Hang shared.
In modern life, as many new shopping centers and commercial complexes emerge, Dong Ba market maintains its unique position thanks to its longstanding cultural and historical values. The return of residents to the market to take spring photos reflects not only a desire to preserve memories but also an appreciation for traditional values. Each photograph taken at Dong Ba market, therefore, captures not merely a personal moment but also helps tell the story of a rustic yet vibrant Hue.