Branches of peach and soft pink peach blossoms have gone on sale at Quang An flower market in Tay Ho district of Hanoi, signaling the arrival of the festive period in the lead up to the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet.

Despite the start of Tet still being over a month away, peach flower branches are sold at the market, the first signs for local people that Tet is just around the corner.

Gardeners say that this year they are selling both peach branches and trees earlier than normal because many customers want to get beautiful branches or trees in order to decorate their home on upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

There are a variety of kinds of peaches for customers to choose from.

During the festive period the price of each branch remains relatively high, ranging between VND80,000 – 1,000,000 (equivalent to US$5 – 45), depending on its size.

It is a common habit for many local people to purchase peach blossoms at the end of the 11th lunar or at the start of 12th lunar months.

These peach branches typically cost VND1.3 million (US$56.5) each.

Soft pink flowers can be seen in full bloom during the winter months.

Amid the cold weather and drizzly conditions of the capital, peach blossoming around the streets of Hanoi signals that Tet is rapidly approaching.