However, the development of supermarkets, shopping malls and new consumer habits have caused many traditional rural markets to gradually disappear. But now, the wave of reviving rural markets is spreading with many different names and quite different ways of organizing in the Land of Pink Lotus.

Traditional cake stall at Tan Thuan Dong rural market (Tan Thuan Dong commune, Cao Lanh city) (Photo: MX)

Markets bring community strength to the Land of Pink Lotus

The first model is the Tan Thuan Dong Con Countryside Market. A ferry takes visitors from one side of the river to the other side, which is sometimes called the island by the locals. Also in the capital city of the Pink Lotus Land, there is the Tan Thuan Tay Night Market, which sparkles at night on the windy Tien River bank of the Thuan Tan Assembly Hall.

Coming to the countryside, there is My Dong Commune Countryside Market. Notably, this market is an initiative of the members of Thang Loi Agricultural Service Cooperative. Not only growing high-quality rice, the cooperative members also want to create a space to buy and sell specialties of the countryside, so that rural life is no longer quiet.

Then Tan Nghia people went to My Dong to study, returned to build the Ray hamlet market, because the characteristics of agriculture here are closely linked to fields and crops. Then Long Thuan and Hong Ngu communes launched the Countryside Market - The scent of rice in the border region, closely linked to the image of immense rice fields.

It is impossible not to mention the durian food market - Phu Huu, Chau Thanh, where products made from this "king" fruit are gathered, such as: durian pia cake, durian sweet soup, durian smoothie, durian ice cream.

The rural market is not only a place for trading, but also a place to connect people.

The rural market is not only a place to buy and sell food, but also a place for communication, where people meet every day, sharing stories about family, crops and life. That is why the rural market is often associated with traditional beauty such as: Friendly and close verbal communication. There is no rush, buyers and sellers exchange not only goods but also feelings and stories. Meetings in sessions - a typical community rhythm of the countryside.

Sustainable rural market trends

That is, the ecological market model ensures both economic development and environmental protection. Here, people use natural materials such as bamboo, reed, and coconut leaves to build stalls. Plastic bags are limited, replaced by banana leaves, lotus leaves, taro leaves, and environmentally friendly paper bags. The market focuses on local products, prioritizing organic products, clean agricultural products, and the names of the people who make the products.

That is, the model of “Countryside market combined with tourism”. Here, cultural and culinary events are organized right in the market space to attract customers. Social networks are utilized to promote traditional markets. People who do not have the conditions to sell directly will be supported by online markets.

That is, supporting farmers to learn business skills to become small traders. Training on how to present products beautifully, maintain hygiene, and ensure quality. Supporting farmers to access modern sales forms such as home delivery, selling on digital platforms while still maintaining the "country market" element.

That is, farmers and rural residents are the main subjects of rural markets, the creators and organizers of rural market spaces. Each rural market space needs to have its own unique features based on what the village has, creating higher value.

A few words

Whatever you do, you need to understand its value thoroughly, the deeper you understand, the more you appreciate the new things that appear. The rural market is not only a place for trading, but also a place to preserve the soul of the countryside, the breath of the village. Each rural market is a symphony of life - the cries, laughter, bargaining mixed with the flavor of the rustic countryside next to the bamboo fences, next to the rice fields. The rural market is small but contains a lot of affection, where people exchange not only goods, but also sincerity.

Amidst the modern pace of life, the countryside markets still retain their rustic features, like a quiet note in the harmony of time. There are things that only the countryside markets have: a basket of vegetables still smelling of the earth, a fish wagging its tail in a basket of water, cakes that my grandmother made in the past, and old stories that can never be forgotten. The countryside markets are not noisy, not hurried, there are only honest people and simple but extremely precious things. No matter how far away you go, every time you return to your hometown, just stepping into the markets makes you feel warm inside, like returning to your childhood days.

Add a plus point to the criteria for assessing communes meeting new rural standards, advanced new rural standards, and model new rural standards for localities that organize rural markets. Plus points for the creativity of farmers and rural residents. Plus points because the grassroots political system has found meaningful jobs. Plus points because the vitality of rural communities has begun to revive through rural markets.

Creating a rural market space is difficult, preserving and developing it is many times more difficult. If we want our rural markets to become brands, the Party Committee, the government, those working in agriculture and rural areas, industry and trade, culture and tourism, information, press and media need to consider it as our own business, not the small business of the people. Success is not a destination, but a journey that must be persistently maintained every day.

Preserving the rural markets is preserving the soul of the countryside and the souls of the people!

Le Minh Hoan

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/van-hoa/noi-luu-giu-ky-uc-va-hon-que-130186.aspx