From the fact that the market takes place only every Tuesday, Bo market in Van Son commune (Tan Lac) officially takes place every Sunday from March 24. Thereby, the aim is to turn the market into a place promoting the cultural identity of Muong people in Hoa Binh and the consumption of goods and products of the neighboring communes, meeting the needs of tourists for the local products when travelling to Van Son at weekends.
Van Son commune’s market (Tan Lac) is held on Sunday, contributing to promoting the cultural identity, consuming goods, and developing local tourism.
Returning to visit Van Son commune on the day that Bo market is further held on Sunday, Ms. Nguyen Thu Huyen, Ha Dong district (Hanoi) happily says: Last time we were here, we experienced life, food and the traditional culture of the local people. This time, we were also able to participate in the crowding market. The people and tourists buy and sell, exchange and experience the culture and agricultural products in the highland communes of Tan Lac district and some neighboring communes. I have bought many things here as the gifts. Bo arket has many types of agricultural products such as livestock, poultry, squirrels, mice, wild birds, wine, honey, bamboo shoots, wild vegetables, chayote, purple garlic... and even medicinal plants from the forest and high mountain. Besides, there are also many types of food, essential items... brought by the traders from the lowland areas. The sun is shining, Bo market becomes more beautiful, in the distance there are white clouds playing on the top of the mountain, the village is hidden poetically...
Markets are a long-standing cultural feature in all regions, in which regular markets are said to be the convergence of the cultural quintessence of the highland ethnic minorities. The regular market is a place to exchange goods, buy necessities, and exchange cultures of the ethnic people in the region. Held from 2022, Bo market in old Lung Van commune (now Van Son commune after merger) is held regularly every Tuesday. In any season, the products people bring to the market are the result of the diligent labor and creativity, bearing the unique characteristics of Tan Lac highland people.
Mr. Ha Van Ha, the Vice Chairman of Van Son People's Committee, the Head of the Management Board of Van Son market says: Implementing Resolution No. 13-NQ/TU, dated on October 17, 2022 of the Provincial Party’s Standing Committee and the directive documents of the Provincial People's Committee and Tan Lac district on making the highland communes of Tan Lac district become the provincial-level tourism areas by 2030, with a vision to 2050; in order to promote the consumption of goods and products of the people of Van Son commune and the surrounding areas, and at the same time with a view to making the market become a place to promote the cultural identity of Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh... Van Son Party Committee has issued a thematic Resolution, the Communal People's Committee has developed a plan, asking for the policies and they have received the approval from the district to organize an additional market session on Sunday along with every Tuesday, starting from March 24, 2024 in Bo market. To organize an additional market on Sunday, the People's Committee of Van Son commune has notified the district’s People's Committee, the appropriate departments, branches, unions, the specialized agencies, and communes and towns in the district. Previously, at the recent markets, the Market Management Board also has informed the people, the business organizations and the individuals in the area to know and participate in the exchange of goods and cultural exchanges at Van Son market. Since they were informed of the policy, the people in the area have been very happy and excited to participate. It was noted that the market was organized on Sunday for the first time, there were many people and tourists coming to visit, experience and shop.
Adding more time to organize Bo market in Van Son commune is very necessary, meeting the needs of tourists and residents, creating more favorable conditions for exchanging goods. At the same time, tourists can experience more of the traditional culture of the indigenous people. Thereby, it has been contributing to building more tourism products, promoting the development of trade and services, and contributing to the local socio-economic development.