A Unique Market That Opens on the First Day of Tet
Go Market is situated on a small hill at the foot of Truong Uc Mountain, alongside the Ha Thanh River flowing into Thi Nai Lagoon. Despite being called a market, it is actually just an open space with no permanent stalls or shops. Throughout the year, no trading activities take place here, except for a single market day on the first day of Tet.
According to legend, Go Market originated during the time of the Tay Son brothers’ uprising. This area used to be a military training ground for infantry based at Truong Uc Mountain and naval forces from Thi Nai Lagoon. To dispel homesickness during Tet, the Tay Son generals organized festivities on the training ground on the first day of the new year.
It is said that the soldiers and their families enjoyed themselves until sunset, after which the soldiers returned to their guard duties while their families went home. This became an annual tradition, and on the first day of spring each year, the soldiers’ families would gather here, bringing local specialties to exchange.
Over time, this custom became a ritual. Even after the fall of the Tay Son dynasty, the locals continued to maintain this tradition as an annual spring festival.
During the French colonial period, due to restrictions on large gatherings, the market sometimes had to be held at night. Despite heavy rains or floods, the people persevered and braved the elements to attend the market, standing in the water to sell their goods.
Thanks to the community’s dedication to preserving the rustic charm of this country market, Go Market has survived for centuries. It serves as a tribute to the Tay Son generals and also symbolizes the community’s aspirations for joy and good fortune in the new year.
Buying Luck and Seeking Love
Unlike ordinary markets, Go Market resembles a spring festival. As soon as the Lunar New Year fireworks end, people from all over bring local specialties such as vegetables, fruits, and food products, but the most common items are betel and areca nuts. Vendors display their goods in an orderly manner, without jostling or competing.
People come here not only to trade but also to “buy” luck for the new year. According to custom, customers usually buy 12 betel leaves representing the 12 months, two areca nuts, some slaked lime from Truong Uc Mountain, and a bunch of figs symbolizing abundance and wealth. The betel and areca nuts are typically placed on the ancestral altar or used for fortune-telling. Many people also take them to the graves on Truong Uc Mountain.
Although these items are simple and inexpensive, they are considered essential for bringing luck in the new year. Salt is also a popular item, as the saying goes, “buy salt at the beginning of the year and lime at the end.”
Interestingly, young couples often come to Go Market to buy betel, areca nuts, and lime together as a way of seeking love and good fortune. Many have found their life partners through this unique market.
In addition to buying lucky items, people also participate in folk games such as hat boi (classical drama), hat bai choi (a form of lottery), stilt walking, martial arts performances, and human chess. The tradition of writing lucky red couplets at Go Market is also maintained. Elderly scholars, wearing traditional headwear and robes, sit and write couplets on red paper, creating a scene steeped in the traditions of Tet.
A Unique Cultural Feature of the “Land of Martial Arts”
Despite only operating for one day a year, Go Market embodies the rich cultural heritage of the nation. It has been recognized as one of the “100 Most Unique Markets in Vietnam” by the Vietnam Records Book Center.
Go Market is the largest spring festival in Binh Dinh Province and has been preserved for centuries as a distinctive community cultural feature. With its historical value and cultural significance, the local government is collecting historical documents to propose the recognition of Go Market as a national intangible cultural heritage.
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