At Quang Ba flower market, one of Hanoi’s busiest, the pre-Tet energy is unmistakable. Though Tet is still three weeks away, the market has been buzzing with residents in search of the perfect peach branch to welcome the season.

Nguyen Thi Hoa and her daughter arrived at the market early in the morning. They brought home two tabletop kumquat trees and a bouquet of soft pink peach blossoms for a total of 16 USD. “We like to decorate early, from the beginning of the 12th lunar month, to bring a festive mood into the house,” she said with a smile. “We’ll come back closer to Tet for a larger tree. This year there’s so much to choose from – it’s easy to find something you like.”

Tuan Nguyen, who was in Hanoi on a work trip, made a quick stop at Quang Ba Market before catching his flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. “I asked my driver to take me to the best place for peach blossoms. He recommended this market,” he said. “I found a beautiful branch for 10 USD. My wife will love it.”

On the afternoon of January 27, the market was alive with activity, as many shoppers had already chosen their blooms and carried them home.

Others seeking larger trees for potted displays made their way straight to the source – the peach gardens of Nhat Tan. There, among rows of flowering trees, owners were busy showing off their products. Tuấn Viet, one of the garden owners, was bustling with customers. “Both the peach and kumquat crops have done well this year,” he shared. “Last year was difficult with flooding, but this season we’ve had great weather. We’ve had a steady stream of buyers for the past two weeks.”

Large, well-shaped trees designed for potted display have been especially popular. These mature trees often range in price from 400 USD, with some going as high as 2,000–3,000 USD each.

Various breeds – from soft pink blossoms to single-petal varieties – have drawn admiration from customers. According to the gardeners, although the peach trees have bloomed earlier than expected, consumer demand has also come sooner, easing any concerns about the timing.

Hien, a local teacher, visited Nhat Tan garden to pick out a tree for her school’s Tet display. “We come here every year to choose it ourselves,” she said.

In the heart of the village, the festive pace continues to pick up. Gardeners work tirelessly, preparing for the Tet rush, as cranes move in to help transport trees from nurseries to pavements along Lac Long Quan Street, where they’re sold directly to customers.

Thach Thao