VietNamNet reporters on February 2 observed big trucks carrying red carps to So Thuong village fish market - the largest fish market in the North. 

The local traders said that the market is usually most crowded on the previous night of the Kitchen Gods’ Day. Several days before the Kitchen Gods’ Day, tons of red carps were transported from the northern provinces of Hai Duong, Hai Phong, and Nam Dinh to this market. 

To have red carps for Kitchen Gods’ Day, farmers began raising the fish from June of last year. A fish must have beautiful red color, black eyes and fat belly. 

"This year, the severe weather along with the epidemic outbreaks in some places in Hai Duong province has hindered the transport of red carps from Hai Duong to Hanoi," a fish trader told VietNamNet. 

To have red carps for the Kitchen Gods’ Day, farmers began raising the fish from June of the last year. A beautiful fish must have beautiful red color, black eyes and fat belly. 

Each day, a trader can sell several hundreds of kilos of red carps. 

This year, carp are sold at the wholesale price of VND150,000 per kilo, and the retail price is VND160,000 per kilo. Ms. Toan, who has been working at the fish market for 18 years, said that she used to sell 5-6 tons of red carps/season, compared to this year’s 2-3 tons. 

Red carps are wholesaled to traders, who then deliver the fish at small markets throughout Hanoi. The retail price for a set of three carps is from VND20,000-VND50,000.

The scene at the largest carp market in the North:

Tens of thousands of carp are waiting to be sold to the market on the occasion of the Kitchen Gods’ Day.

Each day, a trader can sell several hundred kilos of red carps.

Huu Thang

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