Lifestyle of Hoa living in Chợ Lớn ( Big Market) in HCM City (Photo by Ngọc Diệp) |
HCM CITY— Author-journalist Nguyễn Đình’s Chuyện Nhỏ Ở Chợ Lớn (Stories of Big Market), a book on the Old Quarter, known as Chợ Lớn (Big Market) in HCM City, was released last weekend.
The 309-page book features the 200-year old history, culture and lifestyle of Chợ Lớn, which lies on the west bank of the Sai Gon River. It includes the western half of District 5 (former Chinatown) and several adjoining neighborhoods in District 6.
The book focuses on traditional festivals, calligraphy, dragon dance, architecture and lifestyle of the ethnic Hoa people (Vietnamese of Chinese origin). Around 440,000 Hoa account for 4 per cent of the city’s population.
Chinese architecture and old buildings, including Bình Tây Market, are also highlighted
Bình Tây Market, one of the city’s favourite tourist destinations, was built in 1928 by a Chinese businessman named Guoyan (also known as Quách Đàm), who hired a French architect to design the building.
It is one of the biggest wholesale markets in HCM City, offering a wide range of goods. It was renovated in 1991 and 2006.
The book also has photos and other images.
Writer Đình has spent more than 20 years researching, collecting and capturing information and images of daily life of the Hoa people in Chợ Lớn.
The book Chuyện Nhỏ Ở Chợ Lớn is published by the Thế Giới Publishing House and Phương Nam. — VNS