The Bustling Tay Ninh Leaf Market.
The Tay Ninh Leaf Market has no fixed location and usually changes annually. It is often held in residential areas or near temples and traditional markets. Therefore, if you want to join this market, keep an eye on Tay Ninh travel groups for timely updates.
This market has been held continuously since 2012. In the past, it only attracted local people, but in recent years, the interest of many tourists has made the market more bustling and vibrant. The Leaf Market was initiated by Doctor Bui Quoc Thai, a renowned herbalist known for his charitable activities in Hoa Thanh district, Tay Ninh.
Doctor Bui Quoc Thai’s initial idea was to organize an internal market, allowing his acquaintances to buy and sell food and drinks. It was also an opportunity to meet friends and relatives after a year of hard work.
The Tay Ninh Leaf Market has an intimate atmosphere among acquaintances, so no money is used for transactions. Instead, the doctor’s friends and acquaintances contribute their products to create diverse stalls, using leaves as a form of currency, fostering a friendly environment. Over the years, the market has attracted many local participants. Gradually, the Leaf Market has become a specialty of Hoa Thanh, attracting the interest of many tourists.
Each year, the market is held in the morning on the 14th and 15th of the first lunar month.
The location of the market is not fixed and moves to different points in the Hoa Thanh area (Tay Ninh) so that everyone can have a chance to shop. It might be held at door 8 of Long Hoa Market, the home of herbalist Thai on Hoc Tram street, or at the Long Hai Buddhist Temple in Hoa Thanh. The market moves to 2-3 locations during each session. Sellers offer what they have, accepting leaves as a token of luck instead of money. Sellers bear the cost of their goods, while buyers can pluck a few leaves from the roadside to use as currency.
The Tay Ninh Leaf Market operates like traditional long-standing markets in the Southern region. Here, stalls are lined up, selling many rustic specialties of Tay Ninh such as sticky rice, soy milk, porridge, ice cream, boiled sweet potatoes, corn, and ‘banh ich’ (a type of cake). At the market, there are no posted prices; you only need to give leaves to the seller to exchange for goods.
Feel free to wander around the market with a handful of leaves and enjoy the delicious hot food.
Specially, each person is only allowed to buy a small amount of each dish, leaving some for those who come later. However, you don’t need to worry as there are plenty of dishes to choose from. Most sellers are locals who prepare food and fruits to contribute to the fun, and what they expect in return is a simple thank you and a smile from near and far travelers.
Many people jokingly say that participating in the Tay Ninh Leaf Market is like playing a large-scale trading game. Here, both sellers and buyers are relaxed, and what they gain is not money but joy. The image of children happily holding leaves to buy snacks, along with the bright smiles and excitement on their faces, adds to the bustling atmosphere of the market. The Leaf Market reflects the generous spirit of the people of Tay Ninh, always ready to give without expecting anything in return.
The Tay Ninh Leaf Market usually only lasts for about an hour.
It is a place of joyful exchange, but people remain serious and dedicated. The food is prepared to be delicious, clean, and beautifully packaged. After the market ends, everyone voluntarily stays back to clean up, collecting trash and disposing of it properly.
Visiting the Leaf Market not only brings you unique and exciting experiences but also holds profound humanitarian significance. This market conveys the message that money is just a means to serve life, and material things can fade like leaves. Therefore, the most important thing is to maintain a kind heart and not let money dominate and lose yourself. Giving is not difficult; just a little kindness and simple food can bring joy to many. Therefore, the Tay Ninh Leaf Market is held annually to encourage people to give and receive, spreading kindness to enrich life.
Exploring Hoa Thanh (Tay Ninh): 5 Must-Visit Attractions
Hòa Thành is a renowned tourist destination in Tay Ninh Province, offering a plethora of attractions to explore. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey as we uncover the top five must-visit locations in this captivating town. Prepare to be mesmerized by the beauty and allure of these sites, which promise an unforgettable experience.
