Donuts always attract customers in the countryside markets. Photos are taken at Phu Luong market, Quyet Thang commune (Lac Son).

Despite being concreted, but the fair markets in upland areas such as Van Son (Tan Lac), Ngoc Son (Lac Son), Bao La (Mai Chau) or the fair markets in Da Bac district still preserve the familiar feature of the countryside. They are the bundles of forest vegetables, the bottles of honey from forest, the different kinds of vegetables, fruits and food that people make and sell at the market. In some places, people still keep the habit of keeping chicken, pigs and puppies in bamboo cages and bring them to markets for exchange. In addition to these images, the country market has its own unique flavors created from the gifts that have been described as "delicious, nutritious, cheap”, typically donuts.

Six years ago, we had the opportunity to go to the fair in Phu Luong commune, which is now merged as Quyet Thang commune (Lac Son). The market takes place on Sunday morning every week. At that time, this fair was quite simple, with the stalls built of bamboo and covered with canvas. It took place right on a rainy day, but the market was still crowded with buyers and sellers, in which, the stalls selling donuts were still full of people. This time, the market schedule is still the same, but the market has built according to the standards of new rural areas and it is relocated to a wide position with the smoothly-running provincial road 436. The stalls selling donuts and cendol are the most crowded with people in the market.

Previously, 3 pieces of donuts were bought with 500 dongs. Nowadays, a big donut costs 2 thousand dongs, a small one costs 1 thousand dongs. With the development of society, in urban areas, the fair has faded away. But in rural areas, markets are still the place of trade and commerce. There are old people who have kept the habit of going to the fair, and they are still eager to wait until the market day to go down to the market and enjoy the hot, aromatic donuts. The donuts have been attached to the countryside markets, with the typical and attractive flavors.

Related Topics

Dao community preserves traditional poonah paper craft

Young people in Hoa Binh breathe new life into traditional culture

Preserving Muong cultural identity, Hoa Binh Culture

Ancient rock carvings in Co stream recognised as provincial archaeological site

---

Lac Son celebrates provincial relic recognition for ancient rock carvings at Suoi Co

The People’s Committee of Lac Son district held a ceremony on April 28 to receive the provincial relic certificate for the ancient rock carving site at Suoi Co stream, located in My Thanh commune.

Special music show celebrates 50th anniversary of national reunification

A special music show titled "The country is in the fullness of joy” has been held at Hoa Binh Square in Hoa Binh city in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975–2025).

Lo Son commune’s traditional stream fishing festival

The People's Committee of Lo Son commune, Tan Lac district, has organised the local annual traditional stream fishing festival on April 19 - 20.

Lo Son stream fishing festival celebrates tradition, unity

Hoa Binh - The land of epics and legends

As a land deeply intertwined with human history and Vietnam’s millennia-long journey of nation-building and defence, Hoa Binh is often revered for its epic tales and legends. Residents of Hoa Binh boast a rich cultural identity, reflected in their unique language, traditional attire, customs, and folk melodies – described as "sweet as honey, clear as a mountain stream.”

Truong Kha temple festival 2025

Lac Son district’s Vu ban town held the 2025 Truong Kha temple festival on April 12–13 (the 15th–16th days of the third lunar month). Since its revival in 2019, the festival has been organised every three years, preserving valuable intangible heritage while meeting the community’s cultural and spiritual needs.