According to annual tradition, around the 7th lunar month, families typically perform the Mid-July (Vu Lan) ceremony at home starting from the 10th day. This year, the Mid-July festival falls on a weekend, so although purchasing power has increased strongly during this period, goods at markets are plentiful, and prices for most food items are stable, except for green vegetables which have increased in price. Notably, votive paper products are experiencing sluggish sales.

Stable Food Prices – Green Vegetables Increase in Price

A vendor of pre-made food on Cau Go Street (Hoan Kiem District) said that over the past few days, she has received dozens of orders daily for food for the Mid-July ceremony. To meet customer demand, she has had to mobilize additional family members and workers to prepare the goods.

A survey at traditional market systems in Hanoi shows that fresh food items for the Mid-July ceremony feast, such as pork, beef, and poultry, have mostly not increased in price. Currently, pork belly, ham hock, ribs, etc., are priced at 150,000 VND/kg; pork head and offal are 120,000 VND/kg.

Beef, chicken, and seafood items are in a similar situation; currently, beef ranges from 270,000 – 350,000 VND/kg depending on the type, rooster price is from 130,000 – 140,000 VND/kg, hen price is lower at about 100,000 – 110,000 VND/kg, tiger prawns from 250,000 – 400,000 VND/kg, squid tubes from 150,000 – 250,000 VND/kg, milk octopus from 150,000 – 160,000 VND/kg, sturgeon 330,000 VND/kg.

Fruit prices remain similar to early August, with red and white dragon fruit at 35,000 – 65,000 VND/kg; custard apples at 60,000 – 85,000 VND/kg depending on type, watermelon at 20,000-25,000 VND/kg, grapes from 150,000-250,000 VND/kg…

The growing development of e-commerce has made it convenient for homemakers to buy food and green vegetables without having to go to the market. Currently, on social media platforms like Zalo and Facebook, many online buying and selling groups are advertising Mid-July ceremony food, from ingredients for self-preparation to full feast trays with attractive prices.

In the “Wholesale Fruit and Food Market at Cheap Prices” group on Facebook, many members are selling Dong Banh custard apples (Lang Son) size 3-5 fruits/kg for 120,000 VND/3kg; smaller size custard apples are sold for 100,000 VND/3kg. Meanwhile, Thai custard apples (Son La) are offered at 80,000 VND/kg, packed in 5 kg boxes (5-7 fruits/box); local longan 100,000 VND/5kg.

Not only selling fruit, many members also offer ready-made Ri chicken products at very attractive prices from 110,000 – 180,000 VND/bird (weighing from 1.5 – 1.7 kg/bird), with a discount of 10,000 VND/bird and free shipping for purchases of 2 or more birds.

While food prices remain stable, green vegetable items for the Mid-July ceremony feast have tended to increase 2-3 times compared to the early days of August. Many consumers report that if in early August, a bunch of water spinach was only 10,000 VND, it has now increased to 25,000-30,000 VND/bunch, mustard greens increased from 7,000 VND/bunch to 20,000 VND/bunch, amaranth from

Cau Go Street

Cau Go Street is a historic street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Vietnam, whose name translates to “Wooden Bridge,” referencing a bridge that once stood nearby during the French colonial era. Today, it is a vibrant and popular street known for its fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.

Hoan Kiem District

Hoan Kiem District is the historical and cultural center of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is named after the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, which, according to legend, is where Emperor Le Loi returned a magical sword to the Golden Turtle God in the 15th century. The district is famous for its ancient architecture, including the Ngoc Son Temple on the lake, and remains a vibrant hub of the city.

Hang Be Market

Hang Be Market is a traditional Vietnamese market in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, dating back to the early 20th century. It is a bustling local market known for its fresh produce, flowers, and household goods, offering an authentic glimpse into daily Hanoian life.

Hoan Kiem District

Hoan Kiem District is the historical and cultural center of Hanoi, Vietnam. Its name, meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword,” comes from the legend of Emperor Lê Lợi, who was given a magical sword by a divine turtle to defeat invaders and later returned it to the turtle in the lake. Today, the area is famous for its scenic lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and its bustling Old Quarter.

Dong Banh

I am unable to provide a summary for “Dong Banh” as it does not appear to refer to a widely recognized historical place or cultural site. It may be a local or lesser-known location, or the name may be misspelled. For an accurate summary, please verify the correct name or provide more context.

Lang Son

Lang Son is a mountainous province in northern Vietnam, historically significant as a major frontier trading post and a strategic military gateway between Vietnam and China. It is known for the Đồng Đăng Market and the iconic Tam Thanh Cave, which features ancient inscriptions. The area was the site of several important battles during the French and American wars.

Thai

“Thai” refers to the culture and nation of Thailand, which has a history stretching back centuries to ancient kingdoms like Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. It is renowned for its ornate temples, vibrant cuisine, and deep-rooted Buddhist traditions.

Son La

Son La is a mountainous province in northwestern Vietnam, historically known as the site of a notorious French colonial prison built in 1908. The Son La Prison was used to detain and torture Vietnamese revolutionaries, and its ruins now serve as a museum commemorating their resilience and the struggle for independence.