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Uoc Le village, which is about 500 years old, is famous for its “gio cha” (pork paste) making. In the village, many people have moved to big cities to run “gio cha” businesses and are often busy until the afternoon of the last day of the lunar year, making it difficult to return home for Tet. Those working in the South or overseas may not be able to come home during the lunar New Year. Therefore, the village has an unwritten tradition of "celebrating second Tet" on the 14th and 15th of lunar January to help people, who have not got the opportunity to celebrate the lunar New Year with their families, to reunite with their families and neighbors and enjoy the Tet atmosphere in their hometown.

This photo is of recreation of the traditional market in Uoc Le village.
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According to Head of the Organizing Panel of the Uoc Le Village Traditional Market Nguyen Viet Tuong, the villagers want to set up the market to showcase traditional products and create an experiential space for visitors to learn about the village’s customs.
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Ngo Thi Lien Huong, an overseas Vietnamese in Hungary, was invited to participate in the market by her friends who are Uoc Le villagers. She said that the ancient atmosphere of the village and the variety of “gio cha” products surprised her.

She bought “gio cha” as gifts for her relatives in Ho Chi Minh City during her upcoming trip. “I remember how difficult it was to find Uoc Le’s “gio cha” in the city during Tet. Being able to experience it here is truly wonderful,” she said.
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Primary schools give their students the opportunity to visit and experience the traditional market. Such an activity help educate students about the importance of preserving the long-standing cultural values of the village.
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In the past, the craft village had two main products. However, due to changes in customer demand, families in the village now sell over a dozen different types of products.
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By organizing the event, villagers hope to create a space to attract visitors to the village.
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After 9a.m. on the 14th day of the first lunar month, the roads leading to the village get crowded with people returning to their village from different localities across the country. The second Tet celebration officially begins on the 15th day of lunar January. On the day, local people gather together, inviting friends and relatives to experience the unique customs of the village.
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Many elderly people in Uoc Le believe that the family with the most guests and the largest feast in the second Tet celebration is “something to be proud of.”
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On the day, Uoc Le villagers also visit So Pagoda to pray for luck and peace.
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Built during the Mac Dynasty, the pagoda is nearly 500 years old and till retains many historical features such as old bricks and dragon carvings.
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Villagers perform rituals to pray for peace and prosperity inside So Pagoda.
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According to many villagers, some families, who have not returned to their hometown during the lunar New Year, choose to visit their ancestors’ tombs on the 15th of lunar January. In photo, a family from central Hanoi visits the tombs of their ancestors at the cemetery near So Pagoda.

Source: vnexpress.net

Translated by Tran Hoai