In the memory of many Hanoians, bougainvillea is associated with old houses or perennial dormitories. In the summer, especially from May, bougainvillea blooms on the streets and alleys. In Hanoi, it is not difficult to see confetti. As a result, the surrounding scenery also becomes softer and more romantic. The bougainvillea is native to Central South America. The plant is suitable for tropical climates and flowers all year round. In Hanoi, paper flowers are planted everywhere such as parks, schools, hospitals, medians, sidewalks. There are also times when bougainvillea is grown in a pot and posed as an ornamental plant. But the most special is the image of confetti embracing each small house. Paper flowers adorn the door frames more poetic, people feel light, peaceful and serene. The bougainvillea flowers almost bloom throughout the four seasons, but it seems that in May, this flower has a more radiant beauty in each sunny patch. Paper flowers always appear as a highlight, although gentle but impressive enough to attract all attention. The bougainvillea flowers are fast growing, easy to grow and care for, the flowers are wrong and have a variety of colors, symbolizing a love that is sincere, rustic, simple, simple. Tiny confetti, fragile petals but blooming in large bunches, are also representative of family affection. Each fragile flower is attached to each other to survive, against strong winds and heavy rain, like the love of brothers in one family. The pink color of confetti is like a special “dot” feature of collective houses in Ha Thanh. Paper flowers have many colors, in addition to the main pink color that we often see, confetti also adorns themselves with pure, gentle white flower clusters, making many people unable to take their eyes off when passing by.

Carp are raised on the island Playing aquarium fish is an old hobby. Images of colorful fish of all kinds swimming in lakes, miniatures, and rockeries always bring players relaxation and mental comfort. Currently, the hobby of aquarium fish has become popular, aquarists of many different ages. Everyone can own an aquarium that suits their income and interests. According to aquarium store owners, there are many varieties of ornamental fish from freshwater fish to saltwater fish, from popular and easy-to-raise fish, such as three-tailed goldfish, Siamese fish, guppies, and fish. average fish, swordtail… to precious fish with high selling price, but very difficult to take care of, such as: arowana, Koi carp, Arhat fish, poinsettia… In addition, there are modern machinery and equipment that support the care of simple aquariums to aquariums, or higher is the rockery, with underwater decorations, light bulbs. Led, oxygen blower, waste collector, aquatic plants … and many different types of aquariums, large and small fish tanks, to meet the needs of aquarists. Mr. Nguyen Van Huu (a longtime ornamental fish farmer in Chau Doc City) said that raising ornamental fish is not difficult, easy nor easy, but requires the passion, knowledge and experience of the farmers. To raise ornamental fish, the source of water for fish farming is the most important factor. In an aquarium, it is necessary to choose fish with the same behavior that are easy to keep together, avoiding big fish eating small fish. Besides, it is advisable to feed the fish just enough, not to leave excess food, to avoid overeating, which affects the water quality in the aquarium. Should not completely replace the old water, should suck the old water from 30-50% and add new water slowly, gently for the fish to adapt. “Farming aquarium fish is not only to decorate the space of the house with fresh, fresh vitality and closeness to nature, but also to help dispel the feelings of fatigue and daily worries of daily life. day” – Mr. Huu shared. Tran Dang Khoa (living in Phu Tan district, An Giang province) said that he loves to raise ornamental fish. Because I’m going to school and living in a boarding house, I choose to raise small fish, easy to raise and affordable, such as: guppies, lily fish, three-tailed fish, pomegranate fish… Daily, the care squirrels and watching schools of fish swimming help Dang Khoa to relax after studying in the lecture hall. Mr. Le Quang Vinh (living in Chau Doc City, An Giang province) shared that he did not know how to raise ornamental fish before. But since seeing some friends make rockeries, raising fish in the house is so beautiful, so he practiced raising them, gradually becoming a passion. At the beginning of the aquarium, he raised cheap fish, after gaining experience, he raised more expensive fish. “The rockery is decorated with a variety of aquatic plants combined with rocks and colorful fish to create a small fresh and cool space in our house,” Vinh shared. Like Mr. Vinh, who has a hobby and passion for playing ornamental fish for many years, Mr. Le Van Hoang (living in Tan Chau town, An Giang province) has researched and invested in an aquarium. born. According to Mr. Hoang, aquariums have many types, styles and ways of playing. Simple aquariums are often decorated with a variety of aquatic plants, such as: water ferns, chrysanthemums… combined with rocks, driftwood and schools of zebrafish, guppies, Dutch fish… creating creating a scene like an aquarium. One of the joys of keeping aquarium fish is to bring the whole space to simulate nature in miniature in an aquarium. “Every day, sitting and listening to the sound of the water flowing, watching the fish swim around, melt away all the fatigue and worries, help people’s mood become more peaceful, mentally comfortable and happier.” Hoang shared.

Besides the basic items in the house such as furniture, furniture … The most popular item that makes the biggest impression when visitors come to the house is the record player. Imported into Vietnam in the early 20th century, the phonograph gradually gained popularity among the Saigon elite. Pathé Phonograph and Pathé Records are well-known brands, sold at No. 10, Charner Avenue (Nguyen Hue). The agency advertised: “In entertainment that makes the family fun, there is nothing like: Pathé phonograph and Pathé record. Listening to good music can change human character, and music is like a separate language that the mind and mind have not shown. He also boasted: “… now the profession of making record is very sophisticated. The plate runs on sharp needles, taking electrified gas is quite good, but recently Pathé took steam from Annam version and took it with a radio, it was very mental, very smooth and clear. At present, the golden disc is the radio pathé disc, the red iris has a chicken. Smart women make their families happy and should buy Pathé phonographs. Husband from going out to waste. Although children play but expand their brains ”. Phonographs are also sold and repaired at Nguyen Van Thuat No. 105 Charner Street (Nguyen Hue), including Pathé recordings using sapphire needles. Here sell a full set of spare parts according to the machine. Coming to the shop, they also showed the index of various kinds of Annamese with nearly 30 songs, with attractive ones like Petitioning Hung Tin , Apotheosis , Cheo singing is confused with village … Odeon records sold at Indochine films & Cinéma No. 106 Charner include Dong Lac ban, Nghia Hiep ban, Phuoc Tuong ban, Tan Thinh and Van Hi Ban. There are also plates of Praising to the Notre Dame and Praising to pray for peace. There is Cai Luong Cao Men that sounds strange. Later, in 1937, Victor record with agent Le Van Tai at 82 Georges Guynemer street (Ho Tung Mau) sold Phung Hao recordings with Phung Ha, Nam Chau… many special songs. If anyone knows how to use it, they will buy the “ball song” at Pathé Baby’s house. The device is advertised as easy to use, booked a very luxurious living room, sold all kinds of comedy, tragedy, science, sports movies … powered by electricity, with white cloth to illuminate the image size 54X40. Saigon living room in the 1960s. Documentary photo : Hoang Viet Indoor lights are very important. If he was rich, he used electricity from the Cho Quan lamp factory or went to the shop of the native Quang Binh to hire and install. There is Mr. Tran Quang Nghiem, the owner of the Luc Tinh hotel shop who has “run the gas lamp wire” for any house or shop that wants to use gas lamps, ie electricity. Mr. Nghiem advertised: “The salary and wire fee is cheaper than most, thought that no place would dare to compete… One thing to know is that M. Nghiem’s ​​wire is attached to the wall, the owner still rented a compteur for a lamp house. Adding the compteur’s rent together with the new wire-based one is clear that M. Nghiem is cheap ”. At that time, electricity was still a luxury and unstable, fluttering, so every home needed a manchon lamp. Manchon lamp brand Petromax Rapid of Germany by the exclusive agent of Indochina, Dai Ich company at 29 General Doc Phuong Avenue (Chau Van Liem), Cholon advertises to Hanoi. There are three types of lamps: One liter burns for 18 hours, 12 hours or 10 hours. No need to charge with alcool, in less than a minute, it will be finished and burned with kerosene or gasoline. Dealers selling lamps and spare parts. Some people like the Aida manchon lamp brand also from Germany, lit with kerosene, good but very timely economic crisis. Sold at My Quang & CIE No. 33 along Tong Doc Phuong street. Ordinary people buy lamps in the United States with a large kerosene can about the size of a bowl, made of transparent glass, clearly visible oil and a lamp heart inside. The oil tank is rigidly mounted on a sturdy, heavy, brass leg. The lampshade has a heart-wrench to adjust the light, and attaches a tall glass chimney to shield the wind. The lamp has a shutter to focus the light downwards, not to shine on the ceiling or roof. Regarding tables and chairs, a well-off family returns to Binh Duong to buy wooden furniture at the local art school of Thu Dau Mot. More picky, then wait for tricks in Hanoi. A house in Phu Nhuan street on Phan Dang Luu street still retains a cupboard of conch-conch, purchased in 1928, at the Hanoi trickery house, until now still intact. On Catinat Street (Dong Khoi), French rattan chairs and Northern furniture are sold. The North Seats are not as sophisticated, but cheaper. Or go to Cholon to buy chairs for Chinese making. Some rich people ordered chairs, collapsed three walls made of rosewood to take place in China and imported them. There are elaborate houses in every detail in household utensils, using silver mosquito net, tortoise shell, ivory, ivory hammock … Although comfortable, not every home can buy good things. The second-hand shop on Lagrandìere Street (Ly Tu Trong) sells many things, including brand-new items from merchants. The Chinese bid an entire street here to display peanuts-casseroles. They also opened two more rows of peanut-casseroles outside Cho Moi (Ben Thanh market) on Espagne (Le Thanh Ton). There are all sorts of household items such as cups, bowls, saucepans, pans, and furniture. Despite being peanuts, buyers from all walks of life. Comfort in the home is high or low depending on the employer’s wealth, knowledge, and aesthetic level and their needs. It also shows consumer trends, perceptions about the beauty of the population at that time as well as the responsiveness of the market. Those are quite interesting suggestions for researchers, about the urban lifestyle in the past.