Located at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 1, the weekly market is not known by many residents of the bustling southern metropolis.
For those who know of its existence, the market never fails to surprise them with a variety of items that would otherwise be very difficult to come by at other markets or supermarkets in the city.
On top of that, shoppers are also treated to many local specialties from various localities nationwide.
For a market, the space is quite humble, housing just over ten stalls selling a variety of commodities, from foods to handicrafts, which are made and sold with the environment in mind.
Clean, fresh fruits, and vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and displayed on bamboo shelves while customers carry reusable bags or baskets instead of plastic bags.
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| Vegetables wrapped in banana leaves are sold at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
The ‘countryside market’ is one of many activities held by ‘Hoi quan cac ba me’ (Club of Mothers).
The club’s chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, 46, and her members have maintained the market since 2001.
Another ‘specialty’ of the market is its cozy atmosphere, which is far different from the hustle and bustle normally observed at a traditional market.
There is no haggling and bargaining and the customers are neither noisy nor in a rush as most visit the market to enjoy an air of nostalgia rather than seek a good deal.
All proceeds from the market go to supporting financially challenged students and families in need in the city.
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| A seller prepares ‘banh loc’ (tapioca dumplings with pork belly and prawn fillings) at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| Shoppers tour a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| Truong Thi Ngoc Nhung selects pottery dinnerware at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| A stack of creek premna, a kind of plant commonly boiled for drinks in Vietnam, is seen at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| Pottery dinnerware is sold at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| Wooden sandals are sold at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| Fresh fruits are sold at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| A storyteller interacts with children at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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| Nguyen Anh Thu (right) selects handmade baskets at a ‘countryside market’ at No. 7 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, May 24, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre |
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