Travel

The Oldest Market in Hue: A 170-Year-Old Legacy That Endured Through Time

The Gia Lac market exudes a unique charm, harking back to the nostalgic scenes of a bygone Tet holiday brimming with warmth and rich cultural heritage. It is not merely a traditional marketplace but a cultural hub, seamlessly connecting the past with the present, the sellers with the buyers, and, most importantly, preserving the quintessential spiritual values of Hue.

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3 December, 2024

The Origins and Significance of the Gia Lac Tet Festival Marketplace

Gia Lac is a location 3km from the center of Hue city, situated about 300m from the Perfume River. The Gia Lac Tet Festival Marketplace was established by Dinh Vien Cong Nguyen Phuoc Binh, the fourth son of King Gia Long, during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, over 170 years ago. Initially, the marketplace served as a venue for trading, shopping, and entertainment.

Gradually, the marketplace not only became an appealing entertainment spot during the Tet holiday but also a place for exchanging and trading various products, goods, and specialties of the spring festival. It is a gathering of traditional values and customs of the people of Hue. The name “Gia Lac” carries the meaning of “bringing joy and good luck,” reflecting the spirit of this marketplace, where people come not only to shop but also to wish for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

With its uniqueness and strong appeal, the Gia Lac marketplace has become an integral part of the cultural experience during Tet for the people of Hue.

Visiting this marketplace, tourists will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ancient Tet atmosphere with traditional goods, folk dishes, and, most especially, fascinating stories about the customs and traditions of the Vietnamese people.

The Gia Lac Spring Festival has endured through many historical periods, experiencing ups and downs as well as changes in the form of trading, exchanging, and entertainment. After going through two prolonged and intense wars for national liberation spanning 30 years, the lives of the people were greatly disrupted, and the Gia Lac Spring Festival was intermittently held and gradually faded away.

Nowadays, the spring marketplace still exists, but people’s lives, as well as their entertainment needs and preferences, have changed. Consequently, the overall atmosphere of the spring festival is not as vibrant as it used to be.

A Space Evoking the Past and Unique Goods

The space of the Gia Lac marketplace is designed with a nostalgic touch. The market stalls are decorated with palm leaves, bamboo, and rattan, creating a rustic and intimate ambiance reminiscent of the old country markets. Along the aisles are red lanterns, trays of yellow chrysanthemums, and kumquat pots, brightening up the entire marketplace and infusing it with a festive spring atmosphere.

At the Gia Lac marketplace, you will be amazed by the abundance of traditional goods on offer.

The marketplace offers a variety of Tet cakes such as banh chung, banh tet, banh it, and banh phu the, all handmade and carrying the distinctive flavors of Hue. Additionally, folk dishes like banh nam, banh beo, banh loc, and Hue sweet soups are also available, evoking the warm flavors of the homeland. Each dish has its own story, reflecting the meticulousness, skill, and love for the homeland of the people of Hue.

Apart from food items, the marketplace also features traditional handicrafts such as lanterns, conical hats, ceramics, folk paintings, and wooden sculptures. These items hold not only material value but also deep cultural significance, making them meaningful souvenirs to take home.

Cultural Activities at the Gia Lac Marketplace

The Gia Lac marketplace is not just a place for shopping but also a playground with various cultural and artistic activities. Notable performances include Hue royal court music, lion dance, and water puppetry. In particular, the royal court music of Hue, with its solemn and ancient melodies, always captivates the attention of visitors. It is not merely music but also an art form recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Moreover, the marketplace organizes folk games such as tug-of-war, blindfolded pot-breaking, and rope jumping, which are familiar to Vietnamese people and bring joyful laughter to everyone. By participating in these games, adults relive their childhood, while children get to discover and appreciate the traditional beauty of their country.

One distinctive aspect of the Gia Lac marketplace is the warm and friendly nature of the people of Hue.

The locals are very friendly and hospitable. They are eager to share with visitors the history of the marketplace, the customs and traditions of Tet, and folk stories. Even though it is just a Tet marketplace, Gia Lac gives the feeling of a warm gathering where people can sit, chat, share, and wish each other a peaceful new year.

The vendors here typically do not engage in price gouging, creating a comfortable shopping experience, and many are willing to offer discounts and New Year gifts as a token of good luck. This is a unique characteristic of the Gia Lac Tet marketplace, reflecting the genuine warmth and hospitality of Hue.

Gia Lac – An Unforgettable Ancient Tet Experience

For the people of Hue, the Gia Lac marketplace is an integral part of their Tet celebration. It is not just a marketplace but also a traditional cultural space that preserves the beautiful values of ancient Vietnamese Tet. For tourists, the Gia Lac marketplace is an ideal destination to immerse themselves in the traditional Tet atmosphere, explore Hue culture, and create memorable experiences.

If you have the opportunity to visit Hue during Tet, don’t miss the chance to drop by the Gia Lac marketplace. Come to breathe the air of ancient Tet, rediscover the traditional cultural values, and enjoy a peaceful and cozy atmosphere in the heart of the ancient capital of Hue. The Gia Lac Tet marketplace will surely offer you a unique and authentic Vietnamese Tet experience.