Traders sleep on Hanoi streets to guard kumquat, peach trees

Many people have stayed overnight in tents set up on Hanoi’s streets to guard their kumquat and peach blossom trees.

As the Tet Lunar New Year nears, kumquat and peach trees are being sold on many streets in Hanoi such as Vo Chi Cong, Lac Long Quan, Le Van Luong and To Huu.

Ho Trung Diep from Nhat Tan Ward in Tay Ho District is selling peach blossoms on Lac Long Quan Street.

Mai Huu Son and Ta Quoc Huy from Phu Tho Province had to make a fire to keep warm while sleeping overnight on Lac Long Quan Street to sell kumquat trees. Son said that he is paid VND300,000 (USD12) a night for the work.

At around 1:30 am on Thursday, Ha Thi Tuoi from the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau took 60 peach branches to Lac Long Quan Street to sell. She then pitched a tent to sleep in.

Nguyen Van Hai, 58, from Bac Giang Province has set a goal to sell 50 peach blossom branches which were brought from Lang Son.

Nguyen Xuan Truong has been selling 200 peach branches on To Huu Street over the past week. He works from 7 pm to 5 am the following day.

Nguyen Truong Tinh from Ha Nam has had a decade of experience in selling bonsai streets on Hanoi streets ahead of Tet. He said that this year, bonsai tree prices are higher than last year.