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Vietnamese revellers are also ringing in the Year of the Dragon - which means preparing lavish feasts. Purveyors of fruit, in particular, are working around the clock to keep supplies flowing. For these fruit sellers, the festive period means the busiest time of year.
Madam Yuen has been selling watermelons on the Mekong River for 20 years. Every morning, she provides fresh fruit for loyal customers. |
Madam Yuen has been selling watermelons on the Mekong River for 20 years. Every morning, she provides fresh fruit for loyal customers. She lives and works on this boat. For the convenience of regular customers, the fruit seller always docks her boat at the same place.
Madam Yuen said, "We always dock the boat here. We only sell watermelon at this market."
Madam Yuen says she is very busy leading up to the lunar new year, and she can sell 15 tons of fruit in just half a day.
When all the watermelons are sold, Madam Yuen still has plenty more to do. She has to prepare food for her own family, and a special delicacy called Cu Kieu for relatives.
Madam Yuen said, "I have to do it every Spring Festival. I put bigger garlic in the big circle, while small ones in inner circle. It’s very beautiful."
After she’s finished cooking up a feast, Madam Yuen hurries to replenish her fruit supply, for the next day’s business. She says only when the Lunar New Year starts, she can catch her breath and enjoy the holiday.