QL32 Markets

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Woman squatting down examining vegetables.

Customers at street markets in Vietnam are expected to be subtle of limb. Commonly such pavement sales are found near more conventional stalls Vendor wraping goods for customer squatting on pavement.

Vendor wraping goods for customer squatting on pavement.

While the customers may squat down in passing, the vendors have to sit at ground level, on tiny stools, for hours at a time - the Vietnamese never willingly sit directly on the ground Continuing the theme of photographs from Quốc Lộ 32, this page is devoted to markets; the photographers' most favoured venue allowing endless candid shots and intriguing glimpses of people's interactions and attitudes. Most of the photographs on this page are from two main markets and the people are largely from the Hmong communities. There are a number of sub-groupings of the Hmong, here are seen the black and flowered branches so nick-named from their clothing. Woman with pursed lips cutting vegetable.

Woman with pursed lips cutting vegetable.

A dubious piece of bok choy is being titivated for sale Man by basin of corn counting notes.

Counting the proceeds, a constant stall-holders' preoccupation Row of vegetable stalls.

The Vietnamese eat a lot of vegetables... Woman arrangeing meat on stall, other meat stalls in background.

...and meat Younger woman standing at meat stall in apron and open topped hat.

Surely a vegetarian would want to buy meat from her. She is waring a common type of 'hat', a circular band of cloth that leaves the top of the head free (the top-knot shows), and can be pulled down to form a muffler round the throat Two women with backs to camera at meat stall, both in black with elaborate coloured headdresses.

Two women with backs to camera at meat stall, both in black with elaborate coloured headdresses.

Black Hmong headdresses Younger woman elaborate headdress, and light coloured clothes.

Also being worn without the black Woman with black band round her top-knot, half smiling.

And here the head is decorated by a top-knot
in a hair band Woman looking quizzicle head scarf round top-knot and crash helmet perched above that - far from her face.

Woman looking quizzicle head scarf round top-knot and crash helmet perched above that - far from her face.

But top-knots present problems for crash helmets
- it is hard to imagine what protection this helmet could offer Woman in black with coloured head scarf.

Woman in black with coloured head scarf.

Black Hmong woman Group of women in black outfits including socks, knees bare, looking at produce, nearest one with large cylindrical woven basket on her back.

Group of women in black outfits including socks, knees bare, looking at produce, nearest one with large cylindrical woven basket on her back.

Basketwork is a common sight in northern Vietnam, above two examples: a back-pac (above) and
(to the right) a pannier Woman in conical hat holding large flat basket, boy beyond with hair neatly dressed.

Woman in conical hat holding large flat basket, boy beyond with hair neatly dressed.

The boy looks as though he (like his female counterparts) may spend considerable time on his
immaculately parted hair Heavily loaded hidden hand-cart, two women standing, man standing looking at range of parked bicycles.

Heavily loaded hidden hand-cart, two women standing, man standing looking at range of parked bicycles.

The stall on the left of the picture is on wheels, but the bar reveals that the power is supplied by a person pushing. Pedal cycles, as the cycle park shows, are still popular and can take more of the strain... Two women with bicycles, loaded front basket on one.

Two women with bicycles, loaded front basket on one.

...sparing the cyclists arms from heavy bags Man on motorbike riding past stalls.

And riders frequently 'graze' stalls not bothering to dismount Man with power hose in gum-boots washing motorbike, two men watching.

An important adjunct to all markets is provision
for washing motorbikes Portrait of women in head scarfs. Older woman looking askance at younger woman.

Portrait of women in head scarfs. Older woman looking askance at younger woman.

More pictures telling a secret story. Worried mother, and daughter above? Two women looking down and towards one another.

Friend disapproving? Younger woman of that trio looking at camera confidently.

Daughter confident in her opinion? Woman looking down at smaller woman who is holding her waist mouth wide open.

Her neighbour looks unsure as to whether its a yawn
or a pain in her gut Woman with the back pac with small boy who looks very anxious holding her hand with both of his.

Woman with the back pac with small boy who looks very anxious holding her hand with both of his.

Not sure if his distress is the camera, or the size of westerners; but the hands are so eloquent A range of heads in different coverings: helmet, scarf, top knot, cap, bronze bands.

A range of heads in different coverings: helmet, scarf, top knot, cap, bronze bands.

Headdress variety. Sadly there is no other photo of the apparent bronze headbands - back left Two men one arm on shoulder of other gesticulating, both looking intently.

Two men one arm on shoulder of other gesticulating, both looking intently.

Look at her! Two women with slightly condescending expressions.

Oh! not those two again Two women in black, stall holder and small child.

The elegance of these black outfits is... Two women at stall, in black, but one with bright orange padded jacket.

...a little undone by a red padded jacket The last two women turning away from stalls.

Anyway, enough of this shopping. Let's go! to the next page...

Trailers...

Woman staning with terraced fields as background.

The next Picture Posting page concentrates on people along the route; some posing for the camera, others at social events.

The next page of the Mosaic Section is headed 'Wild Places'.
Or go to the of the Mosaic Section. line

Quốc Lộ 32 - Market People