In the 15th century, under the Later Le dynasty, history records that after the resistance war against the Ming invaders ended, the land of Ke Su (Lau Thuong) and Ke Xom (Hung Lo) were the places with the strongest economic recovery. These place names are immortalized in folk proverbs and songs, reflecting the romantic and affectionate nature of the homeland: “Cho Xom market holds six fairs a month/ The hat your lover wears is bought with your money”… On market days, merchants from many regions such as Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, Tuyen Quang, and Hanoi brought all kinds of goods for trading, especially dried fish, ceramics, and household items from the lowlands, while the locals provided forest and agricultural products such as taro, rice, corn, bamboo shoots, and cassava, creating a vibrant trading scene.
With the income from their side hustles, the people of Hung Lo saved up to buy land for cultivation. Despite having to work from dawn to dusk, they tirelessly tended their crops, producing an abundance of food that contributed to the development of their homeland. The combination of farming and the growth of handicrafts instilled in the people of Hung Lo a spirit of dynamism, creativity, and a broad sense of trade. Products made from rice and sugarcane, such as liquor, rice crackers, steamed rice cakes, sticky rice cakes, gai cakes, noodles, peanut candy, and sesame candy, were all delicious and handcrafted. They were sold not only in the village but also reached many provinces and cities, thanks to the diversity of occupations, the culinary culture of the locals was also very rich and sophisticated.
Today, despite the development of society and the appearance of many modern supermarkets and shopping centers, Cho Xom market still holds an important place in the lives of the local people. The traditional market not only preserves the old culture but also continues to thrive, attracting many people to buy and sell.
A unique feature of Cho Xom is that it operates in sessions, including the main session and the auxiliary session. The main session takes place on the 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 26th of the lunar month, with a larger crowd, more diverse goods, and a busier atmosphere than the auxiliary session. The market mainly serves the people of Hung Lo and nearby areas such as Kim Duc, Phuong Lau (Viet Tri city), Vinh Phu (Phu Ninh district), and some communes in Lap Thach district (Vinh Phuc province)…
Cho Xom has the distinct characteristic of starting very early in the morning and ending quickly. It usually begins around 5:30 am and wraps up by 10:00-11:00 am, depending on the weather and crop season. On busy days, the market may end earlier. The number of buyers and sellers can reach hundreds or even thousands per session.
The market offers a wide range of goods, from clothing and jewelry to local agricultural products and production and household items. Familiar items such as bunches of vegetables, chickens, ducks, betel leaves, areca nuts, bananas, or a few brooms are all available. The older folks who come to the market sometimes sell only a few homemade products, but they are always imbued with the essence of the homeland.
Today’s market sessions still maintain the old way of life, operating from early morning to mid-morning. When visiting this rustic market, one can still find familiar and simple images, from seasonal produce to rustic treats. Especially, traditional candies and snacks such as powder candy, peanut candy, fried cakes, gai cakes, and steamed rice cakes always attract many buyers, especially those who want to buy gifts for their children and grandchildren.
Cho Xom not only carries cultural value but also plays a crucial role in socio-economic development. It also contributes to promoting the movement of “Vietnamese give priority to using Vietnamese goods” and bringing Vietnamese goods to rural areas. However, there are still issues that need attention, such as food hygiene and safety, and the control of counterfeit and imitation goods. Food quality is not strictly controlled, allowing food of unknown origin to reach consumers. Veterinary forces at the market are limited, mainly controlling the slaughter of livestock and poultry, while the management of seafood, vegetables, and fruits remains challenging.
Cho Xom is not just a symbol but also an intangible cultural heritage that is familiar and dear to the people of Hung Lo. When visiting Hung Lo, take some time to stroll through Cho Xom and pick out some simple yet meaningful gifts for your loved ones and friends. The memories and impressions of this rustic market will surely leave a lasting mark on all who experience it.
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