Reenacting the Housewarming in accordance with traditional customs
The fair houses many stalls selling highland specialties such as smoking-shelf meat, glutinous wine, and Sim (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) wine.
In addition, a number of produces grown by locals in preparation for Tet holiday are also brought here for sale.
Ms. Ho Thi Minh, a stall owner, said that she had started to receive many shipping orders to all parts of the country in which the best-selling products include smoking-shelf pork, buffalo meat, and beef. Today, in addition to meat specialties, she also sells all kinds of charcoal sticky rice, Ra Du rice, wine made from ginseng grown by locals.
Mr. Thai Thanh Tung, a tourist from Quang Binh province, visited the fair together with his wife and children to buy many specialties as Tet gifts. While going on a trip along the Ho Chi Minh route, he and his family happened to hear that there were traditional markets and festivals, and decided to visit and shop. “For the first time, I’ve experienced the culture and life of A Luoi locals, so all of us are all excited. I hope that these activities will be organized regularly so that visitors can have the opportunity to explore,” said Mr. Thanh Tung.
At the opening ceremony, the Housewarming Celebration in accordance with the customs of the highland people, was reenacted, which also attracted a lot of locals and visitors to enjoy. The celebration included scenes such as inviting guests into the house, offering gifts to Giang (heaven), dancing to celebrate the completion of the house, etc. In addition, on the evening of January 14th, there were cultural exchange activities and Cheraw dancing.
According to the orientation of A Luoi district, a fair with traditional craft activities and folk dance performances will be organized once or twice every month.
A Luoi Fair takes place in 2 days, from 14th to 15th January.
Below are some unique images of A Luoi Fair on the days before Tet recorded by Thua Thien Hue Online:
The fair being held with stalls built on both sides and space for cultural and artistic performances
The organizers encouraging vendors to wear traditional costumes
A little girl displaying salted and pickled scallion heads cooked by her family
Customers rushing to buy dried forest nuts to marinate meat
Zeng costumes and full-size sheets being sold
Bananas and pineapples being the two most prevalent items at the fair
Amber mats being knitted and sold on the spot
A Quat (love cake), a dish often served on important holidays of the highland people, being made
Enjoyers livestreaming the fair on social media
Shoppers taking chances to “check in” when going to the fair
By Thang - Anh