It is sad to me that the ladies carrying their wares have had marching orders from many areas of Hanoi city. I thought it was a charming and very unique part of Hanoi which will be sadly missed not only for the tourists but for the convenience of locals.
As only a visitor peeking in, it looked like a perfect shopping experience for me, the locals, the vendor and the earth :
• they are mostly quiet no beeping, just a few song like calls informing people they are there
• their carbon footprint is so minimal since their mode of transport is by foot
• very little plastic bags were used since one only had to carry the goods inside
• the sales supported their families in remote Vietnam, giving educational opportunities to the young generation
• and who in their right mind would want to travel in rush hour traffic for dinner ingredients, when someone comes to your door?
I took these photo’s a few years ago before the 2008 ban, and want to include them as in surrounding areas they still exist and feel the need honor and document their existence for future generations.
Bread
Fresh bread is baked in local bakeries and sold on the streets while its still hot ! Now that is what I call fresh !
Essential Ingredients
Need to whip up something up for dinner?? Now, shall I get . . . umm pumpkin, bean sprouts, cabbage, bitter gourd, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, bamboo, limes, zucchini, lemon grass, potatoes, spring onions or green beans ??
Greens – check out the water bottle, she sprays the veges to keep them fresh.
Vietnamese Tea
Peanuts, tiny limes, dried beans, bananas and greens are sold by this vendor.
Exclusively for Girls
Feeling shy about your bra size ?? Discretely buy at home . . . now what else do I need? hair – bands, ties, clips; shoe liners, hand towels, face cloths, face masks, knickers (underwear) pr nail scissors ?
Fruit
Sorting her wares (rumbutan or chom chom fruit), only offer the best of the best as Vietnamese demand only the highest quality and freshest available.
Drive In Vietnam style – lady on motorbike stops to buy fruit from a vendor on the footpath. Pre 2007 Helmet Law.
Household items
Feather dusters.
Teapots, and pots and pans for every occasion.
Specialty Store
And . . . oh yeah and I have this wallet on sale, just for today.
My specialty store sells: hair bands, hair clips, hair ties, combs, mirrors, gloves, tissues, key rings, face masks, nail files, pens, ear pickers, lighters, notebooks, toothbrushes, scissors, combs, belts, razors, and wallets.
Snacks + Breakfast
Business is a bit slow down there, so I will try my luck up here.
After your Tai Chi class . . what you need is a good hearty breakfast.
I come here most days, it’s convenient as just out my door way.
Want some yummy, sweet and sticky donuts, it’s a great way to start your day. Go on try them, they are delicious !
Look, don’t they look good ??
Selling all day and now it’s time to get home before it really thunders down.
Tet Supplier
Tet trinkets (lunar new year trinkets).
Tet paper votives (paper items that you burn to send to your ancestors at lunar new year). These are good for me to sell as I’m getting a bit old for this, but these are light to carry.
The Door to Door Shopping Experience
Lady sits on her door step and buys some ready-made food. You can’t much more door to door service than this.
Treats for kids
Was it for boy or a girl ?? For girls I have ducks, dolls, happy faces and mini mouse; and if it’s a boy I have giraffes, balls, ducks, fish, dinosaurs, wind mills or this sword and action man – it’s my best seller ! Pre-helmet law of 2007.
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