In the days leading up to the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, traditional markets in Hoi An Ward and Duy Nghia Commune become bustling trading hubs for what locals call la mung 5, or fifth-day leaves.
The market features a variety of medicinal herbs, including five-leaf aralia for joint pain, perilla for colds and patchouli, which is commonly used to aid digestion.
According to local beliefs, herbs purchased around the Dragon Boat Festival are at their most potent and beneficial.
Tran Thi Hong, a 73-year-old resident of Hoi An Ward, said she buys more than 10 kilogrammes of herbs each year to brew as a traditional herbal drink.
The market offers both fresh and dried leaves. Dried herbs are mainly brought from mountainous areas such as Que Son, Hiep Duc and Tra My, while fresh herbs are largely supplied by local residents.
Prices for dried herbs range from VND 40,000 to VND 100,000 (USD 1.5-3.8) per kilogramme, while some speciality roots can sell for up to VND 200,000 per kilogramme. Fresh herbs are sold in bundles priced between VND 15,000 and VND 40,000.
To prepare for the annual market, many vendors begin collecting herbs months in advance.
Tran Thi Hong Tuyen, a trader from Que Son Commune, said she has spent more than six years gathering, processing and drying medicinal plants for the occasion.
She said finding certain herbs in the wild has become increasingly difficult.
Tuyen said she typically earns between VND 500,000 and more than VND 1 million a day during the market period, with many regular customers buying several kilogrammes at a time.
At Noi Rang Market in Duy Nghia Commune, fresh medicinal herbs dominate the stalls, many of them grown in home gardens or collected from traditional herb-growing areas.
Local vendors said prices have risen by VND 5,000-10,000 per bundle compared with last year due to hot weather and reduced supply.
Beyond its commercial value, the market remains an enduring cultural tradition linked to the Dragon Boat Festival.
Pham Duoc, chairman of Duy Nghia Commune People's Committee, said the seasonal market helps some residents earn additional income while contributing to the festive atmosphere during the holiday.
