Traditional rural market of Northern region reappears in Hanoi

(NHAN DAN ONLINE)The traditional rural market, a unique cultural characteristic of Vietnam’s Northern provinces, will be on display to visitors at the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Culture-Tourism Village in Son Tay district, Hanoi from October 16-18.

The market will feature various traditional cakes, food and drinks of the northern provinces, including banh duc (rice cake made of rice flour), bun rieu (crab noodle soup), banh cuon (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls), banh te (rice cake), banh nep (glutinous rice cake), keo keo (barley-sugar), xoi (steamed glutinous rice), banh da nuong (fired rice pancake), banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and banh day (round glutinous rice cake).

At the market, visitors have a chance to learn more about a wide variety of traditional handicrafts, such as making non la (conical hats), to he (a traditional toy made with glutinous rice powder) and bamboo pens.

Additionally, visitors can also join stimulating traditional folk games at the market including catching loaches (a fish native to South-East Asia) in jars, blindfolded pot smashing, playing catch and making a range of cakes and candies.

Water puppetry artisans from Hai Duong province and hat xam (blind buskers’ singing) artists from the Vietnam Traditional Opera Theatre will give unique performances throughout the event.

The reappearance of the northern region’s traditional rural market aims to contribute to the preservation and promotion of cultural identities of Vietnam as well as educating and instilling national patriotism and pride among younger generations.

The event is expected to attract a large number of both Vietnamese and foreign visitors to the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Culture-Tourism Village.