(VOVworld) - Buying a peach blossom branch and a kumquat tree to decorate for Tet is a long-time tradition of the Vietnamese people, especially in the North. A week or two before Tet, seasonal flower markets open in multiple locations around Hanoi, of which the flower market in Hang Luoc Street in the Old Quarter seems to be the most exciting and crowded.
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 1](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 1.jpg) |
The annual Tet Flower Market in Hanoi’s Old Quarter opens just after Kitchen God Day on the 23rd of Lunar December. Shops are closed and the streets are cleared for the market. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 2](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 2.jpg) |
The most beautiful and fresh peach blossom branches and trees from the numerous flower villages around Hanoi - Ngoc Ha, Tu Lien, Nghi Tam, Nhat Tan, and Quang Ba - are on sales. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 3](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 3.jpg) |
Vietnamese people believe that beautiful peach blossoms bring warmth, joy, and prosperity in the new year. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 4](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 4.jpg) |
Sometimes, sellers go looking for buyers. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 5](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 5.jpg) |
The Kumquat is another iconic Tet tree in Vietnam. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 6](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 6.jpg) |
To choose a good kumquat tree is not simple. It should have a nice shape, plentiful young leaves, several flower buds, and many big, yellowish fruits. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 7](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 7.jpg) |
Trees from Southern Vietnam also appear at the market such as white apricot bonsai… |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 8](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 8.jpg) |
… or the more traditional yellow one. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 9](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 9.jpg) |
In recent years, Vietnamese people have also bought orchids to display at home during Tet as its exotic beauty can last for quite some time. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 10](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 10.jpg) |
Buyers wander around the market until they find the most beautiful branch for their house. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 11](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 11.jpg) |
Some need to find a suitable vase for their branch. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 12](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 12.jpg) |
A motorbike carries home the “fruits” of hours of shopping. |
![Hang Luoc Flower Market in Hanoi's Old Quarter - ảnh 13](https://photo-cms-vovworld.zadn.vn/w500/uploaded/vovworld/asfzyrvslys/2016_02_04/cho hoa - photo 13.jpg) |
The annual flower market in Hang Luoc Street has been held for dozens of years and has become one of the Tet traditions of Hanoi. |
The Hang Luoc Flower Market will run until this Saturday.