“When my child was alive, he really liked playing online games so I have to buy a 3G USB stick to burn for him so he can have an internet and play online games in the underworld”.

 

This is one of interesting orders for votive paper product shops on Hanoi’s Hang Ma street during the festival of the Kitchen God, which falls on January 26.

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Votive paper producers have quickly adapted to the times to make the most modern electronic products such as iPhone, iPad, laptop and digital cameras to serve the dead. However, Mrs. Loan, who runs a votive paper shop on Hang Ma street was astonished by the request of a woman.

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After purchasing necessary items for the Kitchen God Festival, the middle-aged woman ordered an iPhone, a laptop, and a MP3 player, all of which the shop could immediately provide. “I was very surprised when she ordered an internet connection drive,” Loan said.

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“When my child was alive, he liked playing online games very much so I have to buy a 3G USB stick to burn for him so he can have internet and play online game in the underworld,” the woman said.

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She lost her second son in a traffic accident over a year ago. First the woman studied internet connection methods and then she asked Loan to design a 3G USB stick for her dead son because device is very convenient.

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The woman also said that she would burn a lot of votive money for her son pay internet fees.

 

“We haven’t faced any technical matter for such unique orders but through this order, I can learn from experience for next year,” Loan said.

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According to votive paper shops, brand name hi-tech products are selling very well this year. A paper laptop is priced VND30,000 ($1.5), a paper iPhone VND80,000 ($4), a paper MP3 player VND70,000 and a 3G USB stick is VND40,000 ($2). However, they only produce these things in orders.

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Since mid-January, many shops have sold hundreds of iPhones and laptops and they have refused new orders since early this week.

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Hang Ma Street was most crowded in the morning of January 25, one day before the Kitchen God Festival. Products for the dead were hung in front of shops or displayed on the pavement. Apart from traditional items like traditional costumes and cash, cars and clothes with world famous brands were also available.

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Sellers said that the living standards of Hanoians are getting higher so it is not difficult to sell votive products worth of several hundreds of USD.

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Cam Quyen