From the afternoon of February 25, the ninth day of the first lunar month, Tan Ky Tan Quy Street in HCM City's Tan Son Nhi Ward was already busy as residents gathered to buy grilled snakehead fish for their offerings ahead of the God of Wealth Day.
Charcoal smoke filled the air as rows of fish were laid out on grills, with vendors fanning flames and calling out orders in a lively scene.
From 4.30 am on February 26, the 10th day of the first lunar month, the street was already bustling with people, creating a vibrant scene characteristic of the God of Wealth Day.
At Cuc Bui stall, Nguyen Gia Tuan, who has worked in the trade for more than 20 years, said customer numbers had surged since the sixth day of the first lunar month, with the stall selling out daily.
“On the 10th day of the first lunar month, we expect to sell around 2,000 grilled snakehead fish,” Tuan said, adding that the stall sells only about 40 fish on ordinary days.
Prices are typically around VND 200,000 per fish, rising to between VND 200,000 and VND 220,000 during peak periods depending on size, usually between 1.3kg and 1.6kg.
The owner, Nguyen Thi Cuc, 65, has been in the business for more than 25 years. She said offering grilled snakehead fish on the God of Wealth day is a long-standing southern custom intended to pray for prosperity at the start of the year. Many households also maintain the practice on the 10th day of each lunar month.
Each fish takes between 45 minutes and an hour to prepare. Vendors grill the fish over a strong flame to crisp the skin before lowering it over gentler embers to retain heat and prevent the flesh from becoming mushy. When purchased, the fish is topped with spring onion oil and crushed peanuts before being wrapped in foil to keep warm.
Another trader, who has sold grilled snakehead fish on the street for 13 years, said the number of stalls has declined sharply compared with five or six years ago.
“Previously there were more than a dozen stalls side by side. Now only a few remain,” the trader said, attributing the decline to economic hardship that forced seasonal sellers out of the market. Only long-established, professional vendors have managed to stay.
With fewer outlets, customers have concentrated at the remaining stalls, helping boost sales this year.