The mystery of the Hell market that only opens at midnight in Bac Ninh

TPO - The Yin Yang market in Xuan O village (Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh city) only meets once a year on the night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of January. People go to the market to burn votive paper and buy and sell quietly in the dark.

February 2, 2025 | 07:13

TPO - The Yin Yang market in Xuan O village (Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh city) only meets once a year on the night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of January. People go to the market to burn votive paper and buy and sell quietly in the dark.

Every year, on the night of the 4th to the morning of the 5th of Lunar New Year, the Am Duong market meets once in O village (now Xuan O village, Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh city).

On the evening of February 1 (the 4th day of Lunar New Year), from around 8pm, many families excitedly came together to participate in the Am Duong market. The market is located in the middle of the road connecting Xuan O communal house to Thuong temple, right next to the cemetery in the field.

Vendors at the Yin Yang market often sell money, gold, rice, salt, and fire with the meaning of "buying luck and selling bad luck".

In the market, buyers do not bargain, sellers do not set prices.

In particular, the market is lit only by oil lamps or candles, so the market is pitch black, many people have to jostle each other and feel their way around.

According to folklore in the village, the night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of Tet is when the yin and yang are in harmony, the time of exchange between humans and ghosts, between the underworld and the living world.

Therefore, the market helps the living and the dead have a chance to meet again.

Space recreates the mysterious "Entrance to the underworld" at the Yin Yang market.

People believe that among the crowd of people going to the night market, the spirits of their ancestors and relatives will appear to meet everyone again. Going to the Yin Yang market is also a way to comfort and encourage each other to dispel the sadness and longing for deceased relatives.

The activity that attracts a large number of people and creates the highlight of the Yin Yang night market is the scene of selling black chickens.

According to ancient beliefs, black chickens are used as sacrificial offerings to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. This is a special product at the Yin Yang market, only the truly lucky can squeeze in and choose a black chicken as a blessing to bring home at the beginning of the year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Thuong (from Can Tho ) who is working in Bac Ninh said: "I have heard about the Am Duong market for a long time but today I just had the chance to come. I bought myself 2 black chickens to ward off bad luck from the old year, hoping for good luck in the new year."

The black chickens at the market must be sold out the night before dawn, hoping for a bright new year.

Black chickens are sold at the market without a set price. Buyers pay whatever they want to bring luck home.

Since the Yin Yang market was restored, many people from all over have eagerly flocked to experience the cultural and community activities of the ancients. People believe that going to the Yin Yang market is not only about "buying and selling luck" but also an opportunity for people in the living world to meet people in the underworld.

Duc Nguyen

Source: https://tienphong.vn/bi-an-phien-cho-am-phu-chi-hop-luc-nua-dem-o-bac-ninh-post1713672.tpo