In recent weeks, both sides of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in District 5, HCMC have been brightened up by the red and yellow colors of parallel sentences, hand scrolls, lucky money envelopes, lanterns, man-made apricot and cherry blossom trees, and a number of other decorative items for Tet (Lunar New Year).

According to local people, Hai Thuong Lan Ong has been a key venue for selling Tet decorative items for decades. This area is home to the biggest Chinese Vietnamese community.

For city dwellers, the street is a place for not only looking for items to decorate their homes at Tet but also enjoying the spirit of Tet.

Stickers of monkey, the animal sign of the new lunar year, are sold on the sidewalk of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street     A section of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street     Gold-plated items including man-made carp, statues of the Gods of Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity, and large coins, which are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year     Decorative items for apricot trees     Red parallel sentences and hand scrolls with Chinese characters - PHOTOS: MINH NGA

SGT