21 May 2018

Date       13 May 2018 

Time      9:00am-4:00pm 

Venue   Dinh of Quang Ba, Tay Ho District, Hanoi 

Asian Tigers Group Hanoi participated in sponsoring the annual French Flea Market and Garage Sales organized by “Le Cercle des Francophones de Hanoi,” an organization with French-speaking expatriates and Hanoians. Organized on this festive day, full of community and creativity, the day started to attract many different residents to enjoy the celebrations of the atmosphere.

The fair was set outdoors with plenty of room, so it was an ideal place for the sponsors and visitors. Being the exclusive sponsor, the Asian Tigers Group Hanoi had an important role in assisting the logistics and organization of the market to ensure a smooth process of the event.

Waiting to welcome the visitors were private vendors and local creators who set this garage sale area quite busy with the display of vintage clothing and accessories, household items, and collectibles. One might easily point out how this area has gotten busy as visitors searched through the displayed unconventional things to find something that suited them. The opportunity for private vendors to sell their products was creating a sense of community and environmental awareness, with the reuse and recycling of goods.

Next to the garage display sections are registered local artists or creators and local shops showcasing their merchandise and artistry. This market section is eye-catching, as there are plenty of handmade handicrafts, jewelry, paintings, and other artifacts on display. In every piece, there was the stamp of talent and creativity of the local artisans, which lured every art lover and collector. The dialogue between the artist and the public, on the other hand, made that same culture and work of local craftspeople dig deeper, turning the market into a hub of inspiration as well as a synaptic ground of arts and crafts exchange.

For the children, of course, there was no dearth of entertainment or activities to take part in, as opener to the event. The pony rides were a favorite among children, most of them captured by the simple and enjoyable experience that they were unlikely to forget. Face painting, games, and much more went on to keep little revelers on their toes as parents shopped around the place. It was all family-oriented and hence an experience out for all ages.

The French Flea Market and Garage Sales were so much more than a commercial event. There was a bevy of activity; people abounded, speaking French, expatriates of the French, local Hanoians—everyone—coming in and out in a way that was almost tangible. The market areas were like melting pots of cultural exchange: people met again, mixed in, shared stories, including passing and counter-passing knowledge. This is further made possible at the event by the warm and welcoming environment, which encourages social interaction and a sense of belonging.

This is where corporate social responsibility is realized through community-based support and cultural diversity is encouraged. Asian Tigers Group Hanoi made the richness of such an attractive gathering possible in so many ways: through sponsoring, through their participation, and so much more. For instance, by sponsoring this meaningful gathering, Asian Tigers Group Hanoi supported the local community and made expatriate life in Hanoi even more exciting.

The success of the French flea market and garage sale was evidenced by the smiles and feedback of both participants and visitors. They gushed on how thankful they were for this well-organized event and to be a part of it one way or another: be it through the showcasing of items or through the ability to support a local artist. Indeed, it was a day of festivity that was imprinted as one of the very hyper markets everyone visited, with lots of laughter, creativity, and bonding.

Finally, the French annual Flea Market and Garage Sales, organized by Le Cercle des Francophones de Hanoi and sponsored by Asian Tigers Group Hanoi, was a real success. The event finally expressed a medium in communicating with people, finding communities, and not only expressing themselves creatively, but joyfully in the summer ambiance. The support from Asian Tigers Group Hanoi was a big part of what made the day a memorable one, cementing the group’s reinvestment in the local community and very much part of the local community that enjoys its diverse cultural landscape.