Boys and girls throw tomatoes at each other for luck at the unique market in Thanh Hoa

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At around 9am on February 15 (January 6), a large number of people and tourists from all over flocked to Dong Hoang commune, Dong Son district, Thanh Hoa province to go to Chuong market. This is a special market, held only once a year.

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Because the market is located on the Thieu River alluvial plain, people have to walk nearly 1km to get to the market. Along the Thieu River embankment, parking lots are packed.

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Coming to Chuong market, locals and tourists will be immersed in the atmosphere of chasing and throwing tomatoes at each other for luck. This is the unique feature that makes this market "one of a kind" in Thanh Hoa.

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Most of the people participating in this throwing festival are young people.

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At the market, many girls become the focus of boys' "hunting", chasing and throwing tomatoes.

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Two young girls covered in tomatoes at the market.

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Some girls sought out security forces at the market to avoid "tomato bullets".

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To avoid tomatoes splashing on her head, a female tourist used a plastic bag as a hat.

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In Chuong market, tomatoes are the best-selling item. A bag of about 20 tomatoes is sold for 20,000 VND.

Because they often sit and sell goods at the market, the two vendors do not forget to wear helmets to avoid being hit in the head by objects.

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After the fight, tomatoes were scattered everywhere at the market.

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Many people on their way home did not forget to buy vegetables, fruits, and rice paper for good luck at the beginning of the new year.

According to the elders in Dong Hoang commune, Dong Son district, the origin of this Chuong market dates back to the Le dynasty. Legend has it that in the past, on the 6th of January, a general was chased by the enemy and ran to the banks of the Thieu River in Dong Hoang commune. To avoid being discovered by the enemy, the general ordered his soldiers and villagers to hold a market. When the enemy arrived, they thought it was just a normal village market and were not on guard or alert.

When the general ordered the villagers to attack, the enemy was caught off guard and was defeated. To commemorate the general who defeated the enemy, every January 6, the villagers flock here to hold a market.

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