Tran Quoc Cap market, located in Dong Da district, has long been known as a traditional market, specializing in selling dong leaves, which are famous throughout Hanoi. Dong leaves are sold here year-round, but the market is at its busiest and most vibrant in the days leading up to Tet, from the 17th to the 29th of the twelfth lunar month. From early morning at 5 am until late at night, the stalls are always ready to serve the steady stream of customers.
During this time, the street is covered in the green of dong leaves, and the sound of lively chatter and bargaining fills the air, creating a festive and warm atmosphere. Dong leaves here are sourced from various regions, offering a range of sizes to meet the diverse needs of consumers. This year, the price of dong leaves is slightly higher than last year, ranging from 55,000 to 120,000 VND per bundle of 50 leaves. On busy days, each stall can sell tens of thousands of leaves.
The market also boasts a diverse supply of dong leaves. Dong leaves from the forest are usually brought in from provinces like Lao Cai and Tuyen Quang, while dong leaves from the countryside come mainly from Thanh Oai (Hanoi) and Phu Ly (Ha Nam). With a variety of sizes and qualities, Tran Quoc Cap market easily meets the needs of Hanoi residents for wrapping their traditional cakes.
In the days leading up to Tet, Tran Quoc Cap street is adorned with the lush green of dong leaves. Everyone is in a hurry to prepare for the upcoming holiday, creating a bustling and vibrant scene. This year, the dong leaves are not only large and beautiful but also maintain a fresh green color, making them very popular with consumers. To keep the leaves fresh, vendors regularly sprinkle them with water, giving the impression that they have just been picked.
Unlike previous years, this year, customers mostly opt to buy dong leaves in large bundles instead of individually. In addition to dong leaves, the stalls also sell twine for wrapping cakes at a price of 15,000 VND per bundle. Along this 50-meter-long street, there are about 7-8 stalls, open from morning to night, ready to cater to all the shopping needs of their customers.
The dong leaves here are divided into two types: forest dong leaves and countryside dong leaves. Forest dong leaves are usually preferred because when used for wrapping cakes, they create a beautiful green color, and the cakes smell wonderful without sticking to the leaves. On the other hand, countryside dong leaves tend to make the cakes slightly yellow, so people often add ginger leaves to achieve a greener color. However, countryside dong leaves are more likely to stick to the cakes compared to forest dong leaves.
When selecting dong leaves for wrapping cakes, people usually choose leaves that are neither too old nor too young. Leaves of medium size, with a deep green color and intact blades, are ideal for creating perfectly square and aesthetically pleasing cakes. Dry, wilted, or stiff leaves are usually discarded to ensure the cakes’ quality.
In the bustling atmosphere of the year’s end, trucks loaded with dong leaves line up to enter the Tran Quoc Cap market, and the vendors are kept busy. Whether it’s dong leaves or twine for wrapping cakes, Hanoi residents have long relied on this traditional market – a place that preserves the familiar image of a traditional Tet corner right in the heart of the capital.
