At midnight, dozens of carp stalls at Binh Dien wholesale market in Binh Dong ward were busy with buying and selling for ong Cong ong Tao day.

Spanning about 30 hectares, Binh Dien market is located at the western gateway of Ho Chi Minh City. It plays a key role in supplying seafood, livestock, poultry, and fresh produce to the city and its surrounding provinces.

Trinh Duy Tinh, 31, owner of Phu fish stall, stated that he imported over one ton of carp for people to buy for ong Tao day. "Sales are lower this year than in previous years; before, I used to import two to three tons each season," Tinh said.

According to Tinh, large carp are priced at 85,000 VND/kg, while small carp cost 70,000 VND/kg.

A few dozen meters away, Linh fish stall specializes in Malay red carp. Trader Nguyen Hoang Chuong said this type of fish has a beautiful red color and is popular, despite selling for up to 160,000 VND/kg. "I imported two tons of fish and have sold almost all of it," Chuong stated.

Fish are placed in nylon bags, then oxygen is pumped in for distribution to inner-city markets and provinces near Ho Chi Minh City.

Staff from fish stalls use trolleys to transport bags of fish to trucks and tricycles waiting in the market for distribution.

Fish are packed in bags weighing 10-20 kg, then loaded onto vehicles for distribution.

As the fish gradually sold out, stall staff took the opportunity to rest after a night of continuous work.

According to folk belief, the ong Cong ong Tao ritual, also known as Tet ong Tao or Tet Tao Quan (Kitchen Gods' Day), is held annually on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. People believe that after the ceremony, the Kitchen Gods ascend to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor on the family's affairs throughout the past year.

Thanh Tung