More than just a bustling market in Ninh Giang district, Cho Ve is a significant trading hub, attracting not only locals but also merchants from neighboring provinces such as Hai Phong and Thai Binh.
Unlike many other markets, Cho Ve retains the rustic charm of a traditional country market with its arched roofs and time-worn brick walls, creating a space that is both familiar and nostalgic. The arched stalls, old brick walls, and rustic goods on display evoke a strong sense of rural life.
At Cho Ve, one can still find stalls selling bamboo roots and handcrafted items such as mats, baskets, and fishing tools like nets and traps. These items are familiar to rural folk but rarely seen in city markets.
The market operates on specific days of the month: the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th of the lunar calendar. The most special day is the 28th, when the market takes on a festival-like atmosphere. In addition to the usual goods, the year-end market offers a wider range of items for the Tet holiday, such as banana leaves, fruits for the five-fruit tray, peach blossoms, and kumquat trees. Many people visit Cho Ve on this day not only to shop but also to immerse themselves in the excitement of the approaching Lunar New Year.
Amidst the humble market setting, buyers and sellers bustle about. Housewives shop for the Tet holiday, children are led by their parents, young women choose flowers to decorate their homes, and elders seek betel leaves and areca nuts or plant seeds.
Cho Ve is also renowned for its wide variety of plant seeds and saplings. One can find everything from fruit trees like pomelo, longan, jackfruit, and mango to vegetable seeds such as mustard greens, water spinach, and lettuce, as well as ornamental plants and bonsai trees.
For many locals, Cho Ve holds childhood memories. As adults, they bring their children and grandchildren to the market on the 28th of the lunar month to enjoy traditional snacks and soak in the festive atmosphere before Tet.
When it comes to Cho Ve, one must mention its specialty: water buffalo meat. Locals often say, “When you’re at Cho Ve, buy some water buffalo meat.” The market is famous for its fresh and delicious water buffalo meat, a favorite among visitors. Anyone who visits the market is tempted to try the nine-course water buffalo meal and take some meat home as a gift. During the chilly days of spring, gathering with family and indulging in the nine-course water buffalo feast not only satisfies the taste buds but also makes the Tet holiday more cozy and intimate.
According to a local meat seller, water buffalo meat is popular because of its rich flavor, which is less intense than beef, yet it is priced similarly. The buffalo graze on natural grass and are not fed industrial feed like chickens or pigs, ensuring high-quality meat. Traders carefully select the buffalo, mostly sourced from northern mountainous provinces such as Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang. Cho Ve’s water buffalo meat has become a well-known brand, attracting customers to the market. Local businesses selling water buffalo meat have formed a cooperative, supporting each other to ensure a constant supply of fresh meat sold daily.
The first market of the year at Cho Ve takes place on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year. During this time, people enthusiastically buy and sell simple and rustic goods, reflecting the nature of the locals. Despite the modern pace of life and the presence of shopping malls and convenience stores, Cho Ve’s market on the 28th of the lunar month retains its traditional value, preserving the soul of the countryside through time.
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