Money does grow on trees: Marketplace where leaves replace cash a big hit in southern Vietnam

This year’s leaf market was hosted by the People’s Committee, the Women’s Union, and the Youth Union in Phu Binh Ward, Long Khanh City, Dong Nai Province and featured 23 booths selling 33 kinds of food, drinks, and goods.

Visitors to the marketplace were given three leaves each which they could exchange for products.

By the end of the day, most booths had sold out of their products, leaving only happy vendors with handfuls of leaves.

Local authorities sample products at the Leaf Market in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam for food safety testing. Photo: A.Loc / Tuoi Tre

“The market was interesting and special because it was so unique. Dishes were free but clean and tasty,” said local resident Tran Thi Thong Nhat.

“I hope similar markets will be held in the future.”

The vendors who participated in the market did so simply because they enjoyed sharing their food and drinks with others.  

“I brought 600 servings of banh troi nuoc [sweet rice ball soup] and banh it [sticky rice dumplings] even though I knew I’d be paid in leaves instead of cash,” said Giang, a vendor.

“If the event is held again next year, I will definitely participate and prepare more food.” 

Local residents happily buy necessities and use leaves as payment at the Leaf Market in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: A.Loc / Tuoi Tre

According to Nguyen Thi Le Huyen, chairwoman of the Phu Binh Women’s Union, the ward held the event on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8) to create a playground for all residents, particularly women.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The Leaf Market – a fair where guests and visitors used tree leaves in lieu of cash – took place in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam on Wednesday, attracting over 1,000 visitors.

This year’s leaf market was hosted by the People’s Committee, the Women’s Union, and the Youth Union in Phu Binh Ward, Long Khanh City, Dong Nai Province and featured 23 booths selling 33 kinds of food, drinks, and goods.

Visitors to the marketplace were given three leaves each which they could exchange for products.

By the end of the day, most booths had sold out of their products, leaving only happy vendors with handfuls of leaves.

Local authorities sample products at the Leaf Market in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam for food safety testing. Photo: A.Loc / Tuoi Tre

“The market was interesting and special because it was so unique. Dishes were free but clean and tasty,” said local resident Tran Thi Thong Nhat.

“I hope similar markets will be held in the future.”

The vendors who participated in the market did so simply because they enjoyed sharing their food and drinks with others.  

“I brought 600 servings of banh troi nuoc [sweet rice ball soup] and banh it [sticky rice dumplings] even though I knew I’d be paid in leaves instead of cash,” said Giang, a vendor.

“If the event is held again next year, I will definitely participate and prepare more food.” 

Local residents happily buy necessities and use leaves as payment at the Leaf Market in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: A.Loc / Tuoi Tre

According to Nguyen Thi Le Huyen, chairwoman of the Phu Binh Women’s Union, the ward held the event on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8) to create a playground for all residents, particularly women.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The post Money does grow on trees: Marketplace where leaves replace cash a big hit in southern Vietnam appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

Ha Long Bay listed among world’s 50 most beautiful natural wonders
Ly Son garlic receives certificate of geographical indication
‘Tet Nguyen Tieu’ becomes nation’s cultural heritage
Da Lat – hub of flower exports
Peaceful life on Truong Sa
Flight volumes at the Vietnam airport completely recovered
Cultural village celebrates Vietnam Family Day with various activities
After athlete’s death, Da Lat marathon organizers claim to be ill-prepared for bad weather
Souvenir shop sets up at Ho Chi Minh Museum
Love songs in Tra Su cajuput forest
Traditional Japanese dolls exhibition comes back to Hanoi
If allowed to enter Vietnam, are you ready to pay for quarantine services?
Vietnam mulls allowing sports betting via e-wallets, mobile accounts
ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Plus Video Conference
International children’s music festival to be held online this June
Leading Vietnamese locations to view coral reefs
Beauty queens set to participate in fashion show for children
Lovers of vintage cassette players
Da Nang promoting roof-top solar power development
Bird’s nest tours in HCM City wow visitors