1. General introduction to Tay Ninh leaf market
The origin of the leaf market was initiated by physician Bui Quoc Thai, who is famous for his benevolent heart in Hoa Thanh town (now Hoa Thanh ward). Initially, he wanted to create a space for friends and acquaintances to gather and exchange food and drinks after a busy year. To maintain the spirit of togetherness, sellers did not use money but only accepted leaves as a “lucky gift”.
Over time, this method of trading with leaves spread wider, attracting people from all over the region to participate. From a small market, the leaf market gradually became a community-oriented New Year gathering spot, a place where giving and receiving are filled with benevolence and simple joy.
In folk tradition, the traditional Tay Ninh leaf market takes place on the morning of the 14th and 15th days of the first lunar month annually, but without a fixed location. The market is alternately organized in residential areas, areas near temples and pagodas, or community activity spots within Hoa Thanh ward. Each day, the market moves through 2-3 different locations, allowing people in many areas to participate.
The leaf market is a unique cultural feature of Tay Ninh. (Source: Collected)
The specialty of the leaf market lies in its spirit of not emphasizing material value. Sellers bring what they have, and buyers only need a few leaves to exchange for rustic dishes like corn, sweet potato, sticky rice, cakes, and fruits... Leaves have no monetary value; people exchange them for whatever dish they like. Each person takes just enough to leave some for those who come later.
The Tay Ninh leaf market has long become a cultural feature deeply ingrained in the memory of the local people and has become an interesting experience for visitors from near and far.
2. Unique experiences at the Tay Ninh leaf market
2.1. Experience shopping with leaves
The biggest attraction of the leaf market is that all transactions are conducted using leaves, most commonly bodhi leaves. Buyers do not need to prepare cash; they can freely choose dishes by picking a few leaves from the roadside or receiving leaves distributed for free at the entrance.
Buying and selling with leaves is considered a lucky wish. (Source: Collected)
The stalls are simply but colorfully arranged, including sticky rice, small cakes, sweet potatoes, corn, sweet soup, soy milk, and traditional cakes that have long been associated with the people of Tay Ninh. None of them have price tags. Sellers only accept leaves as a lucky wish for the new year or as a way to bring joy to anyone who visits.
Whether children or adults, everyone eagerly holds leaves in their hands to exchange for their favorite items. The atmosphere is bustling yet friendly, like a traditional countryside market from the past vividly recreated in modern life.
2.2. The humane message of the market
Behind the uniqueness of the buying and selling method lies a profound spiritual value. The people of Tay Ninh believe that leaves symbolize simplicity and modesty. Using leaves to exchange goods signifies a reminder for everyone to maintain a kind heart, practice sharing, and not prioritize material possessions.
Sellers prepare ingredients and cook dishes themselves, not expecting any profit. What they wish to receive in return are smiles, thanks, and the joy of visitors. Buyers also take only what they need, avoiding waste to leave some for those who come later. This spirit creates a warm and friendly atmosphere, making the leaf market a place that naturally fosters community connection.
Therefore, the market attracts tourists not only with its unique exchange method but also with the positive energy radiating from each stall, each story, and each handful of leaves exchanged. This is why the Tay Ninh leaf market is likened to a spiritual gift for the new year, where everyone finds joy in the simplest things.
3. The leaf market on Ba Den Mountain
Not only appearing in community life in Hoa Thanh, the Tay Ninh leaf market is also vividly recreated at Sun World Ba Den Mountain on the summit of Ba Den Mountain. With its unique organization, the market on the mountain summit becomes an anticipated activity for tourists during summer and major holidays.
The leaf market on Ba Den Mountain is held annually during the Ba Goddess Festival in the 6th lunar month.
In 2025, the leaf market on Ba Den Mountain will be held on the Saturdays of June during the Ba Goddess Festival. Anyone taking the cable car to the mountaintop will be given a free bodhi leaf to participate in buying and selling.
Furthermore, during the recent August 30 – September 2 period, the leaf market here made a significant impression by being awarded a Vietnam record certificate as “The largest scale leaf market on a mountaintop in the country”, according to the Tay Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This event makes the leaf market a prominent cultural highlight in the series of National Day celebration activities.
The stalls at the market are set up in the style of Southern Vietnamese countryside villages, with rustic thatched roofs, evoking memories of old markets. Hundreds of rustic dishes are sold, such as banh it, banh trang, banh u, che, xoi, sweet potatoes, corn... All are prepared by local people, carrying the familiar flavors of Tay Ninh.
Visitors only need to present the bodhi leaf to exchange for the dishes they want. The bustling atmosphere, the smiles exchanged, and the cheerful stories by the food stalls make the market lively. Many people delightedly compare the leaf market to a 'journey back to childhood'.
Not only food, the leaf market is also a venue for many cultural and artistic activities with Southern Vietnamese colors, such as folk games, cheerful dances, and performances reminiscent of hometown festivals.
Besides buying and selling, the leaf market on Ba Den Mountain also organizes many cultural and artistic activities.
Held on the sacred peak of the South, Tay Ninh leaf market still preserves its humanitarian, sharing, benevolent, and egalitarian spirit, where everyone can come to receive simple joy from a leaf.
4. Experience and travel tips
To fully experience the Tay Ninh leaf market, you should choose the right time. The traditional market session takes place on the morning of the 14th and 15th of Lunar January, and the leaf market on Ba Den Mountain is usually held during the Vía Bà festival (Lunar June).
Participating in the leaf market on the summit of Ba Den Mountain is an opportunity to explore the fascinating spiritual cultural complex of Sun World Ba Den Mountain.
Furthermore, when experiencing the leaf market on the summit of Ba Den Mountain, visitors can combine the experience of traveling by cable car to the summit, admire the panoramic view of prosperous Tay Ninh, and behold the majestic 72m-tall bronze statue of Lady Buddha Tay Bo Da Son amidst the clouds of Tay Ninh. Or stroll to explore the fascinating Buddhist Art Exhibition Center at the foot of the Lady Buddha statue.
The Tay Ninh Leaf Market is not just a cashless trading place but also a symbol of kindness and compassion. Amidst the modern pace of life, that simple market reminds us of the value of giving and the joy that comes from the simplest things. If you have the chance to visit Tay Ninh, don't miss the opportunity to visit the leaf market to buy yourself a handful of happiness made of bodhi leaves.
