This market sells nearly 20 kinds of dry and fresh herbal leaves to serve Doan Ngo Festival, which falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Doan Ngo Festival, commonly called “Tet giet sau bo” (pest-killing festival), is one of the many traditional customs of Vietnamese people.

“Doan” means the beginning while “Ngo” is the period from 11am to 1pm. “Doan Ngo” is the time when the sun is closest to the earth. Meanwhile, the folk name “Tet giet sau bo” comes from the old practice of catching and killing pests that harm crops. On this day, people often cook traditional dishes to offer to ancestors and pray for bumper crops, good business, and good luck in a new season. Apart from typical fruits like lychee and plum, “ruou nep” (fermented glutinous rice) is an indispensable part of this occasion.

Local people believe that on the occasion of Doan Ngo Festival, buying a variety of herbal leaves, drying them and drinking them can help improves health and eliminates disease. 

VietNamNet takes photos of this special market this year:

Cong Sang