In the midst of year-end shopping, Tam Quan market Van Village still retains the unique features of a village market: meeting under the temple space, selling mainly agricultural tools and Tet items, promoting courtesy and meeting rather than noisy trading.
Only one session a year
Van Market, commonly known as Tam Quan Market, opens on the 25th day of the 12th lunar month. It is the “once a year” feature that makes the market attractive. People go to the market not only to buy Tet items but also to meet acquaintances, ask each other after a year of business and feel the atmosphere of reunion before the new year.
For people far from home, the market is a milestone in time. Just mentioning December 25, many memories of village streets, pagoda yards, scents, dong leaves, betel and areca leaves and greetings return.
Why is it called Tam Quan market?
According to accounts recorded by local newspapers, since around the 17th century the village has had a market. After the three-entrance temple was built, the villagers opened a year-end market in the land under the temple yard; From there, the name Tam Quan market was formed. The name “Van market” is directly associated with the name of the village.
This explanation belongs to community memory and needs to continue to be compared with inscriptions, temple documents and ancient records. However, the connection between the market and the religious space is a prominent feature, influencing both the type of goods and the behavior of market-goers.
Products with the flavor of Tet countryside
The market mainly sells farm supplies and Tet preparations: poles, baskets, sieves, pots, forks, baskets, baskets, hoes, shovels, knives, cutting boards; along with dong leaves, green banana, betel and areca, floral scent, locust bean and coriander.
According to press reports, because the market is held in a spiritual space, it is traditional to limit items considered impure or associated with killing. Sellers and buyers speak softly, avoid fighting, creating a different tone than many normal trade fairs.
Go to the market to meet each other
The saying “If you want to meet, just go to the market” shows the social function of the market. In a community where people work far away, the year-end market is a place to reconnect with relatives, neighbors and friends. A short meeting, a New Year’s greeting or a small gift can all become lasting memories.
Therefore, the value of Tam Quan market cannot be measured solely by the amount of goods or revenue. The market is a community ritual before the new year, where people confirm that they still belong to the village and still remember the relationships that nurtured them.
Suggestions for visitors
People who want to experience the market should arrive early on the morning of the 25th day of the 25th lunar month, follow local announcements and prioritize walking when entering crowded areas. Clothing needs to be polite because the market is associated with the temple space; Do not arbitrarily take close-up photos of the faces of the elderly, children or vendors without permission.
You should buy just enough, avoid harsh bargaining, don’t jostle and don’t litter. Enjoying the market with a respectful attitude will help the tradition continue to exist without turning into a “tourist stage” unfamiliar to residents.
Preserving the market in new conditions
For Tam Quan market to be maintained sustainably, it is necessary to record history, make a list of traditional goods, interview long-time sellers and develop a plan for channelization, hygiene, fire prevention, and food safety. The introduction sign should be brief, in Vietnamese and English, and clearly indicate that this is a cultural market, not a trade fair. Digital photo archives about the market need to store information about the year the photo was taken, location, the photographer’s name and the subject’s consent. These seemingly small details will help future generations realize how the market has changed while still maintaining the spirit of meeting, courtesy and direction towards the roots.