People buy cakes and candies at Bac Son market, Rach Gia ward. Photo: KIEU DIEM
Markets are not just places for buying and selling, but also a measure of end-of-year consumption patterns: People go to the market in larger numbers, shop more carefully, choose essential goods and practical gifts; traders prepare their supplies, maintain prices, and uphold their reputation in time to serve the peak demand on the 28th and 29th of Tet.
Abundant goods
In My Thuan commune, from early morning, the Soc Son Commercial Center was bustling with shoppers. The walkways were crowded with people buying and selling. Goods at the stalls were neatly and attractively displayed, notably cakes, candies, fruits, fresh flowers, dried food, meat, fish, and household items. Observations showed a significant increase in the number of people visiting the commercial center compared to normal days, with the largest crowds concentrated in the morning and late afternoon.
Ms. Ngo Thi My Linh, a small business owner at Soc Son Commercial Center, said that the demand for essential goods for Tet (Lunar New Year) has increased by about 20-30%, with stable prices. Fresh and dried food items are in high demand. “In the days leading up to Tet, there are more customers, stocking up for the holiday. We try to keep prices stable, only making slight adjustments to a few items due to increased input costs. Goods are imported daily, and the supply is stable, so there’s no need to worry about shortages. Compared to last year, this year’s purchasing power at the market is better,” Ms. Linh shared.
Currently, the shopping atmosphere at Hon Dat Commercial Center in Hon Dat commune is bustling. From 5 am, the market area starts to get crowded, with motorbikes and small trucks carrying goods constantly coming and going. In the food section, agricultural products, vegetables, meat, fish, and fruits are brought in early and neatly displayed for easy selection by buyers. Ms. Nguyen Thi Coi, a small trader at Hon Dat Commercial Center, said that vegetables, meat, and many other items are mainly sourced from households, slaughterhouses, and gardens in the commune, so the supply is stable and fresh every day. "Selling goods during Tet (Lunar New Year) requires even more careful selection; the goods must be fresh and have a clear origin so that customers can feel secure," Ms. Coi said.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hue, a resident of Son Kien commune, said that every year she shops at Hon Dat Commercial Center during Tet because the goods are abundant, of good quality, and reasonably priced, especially fresh food. “In the days leading up to Tet, the market is very crowded, but I find the situation stable. The market management and authorities regularly remind people, so there is no crowding or disorder. Goods are neatly arranged, and waste is collected promptly, so overall it is clean and safe,” Ms. Hue commented.
Consumers celebrate Tet in a more streamlined manner.
Many consumers said that this year they prioritized frugal spending, only buying essential items sufficient for the Tet holiday. While choosing cakes and candies at Bac Son market in Rach Gia ward, Ms. Tran Ngoc Hue, a resident of Nguyen Thi Dinh street, said: “This year I’m being frugal with my spending, so I’m buying just enough food for the Tet holidays. I buy a little more food during Tet than usual, because the market is open throughout Tet now, not closed for long periods like before.”
At this time of year, buyers mainly choose fruits sufficient for offerings and rituals to honor their ancestors, following traditional customs. The peak is usually on the 28th and 29th of Tet (Lunar New Year), when traditional markets become more bustling. At Vinh Bao market in Rach Gia ward, Ms. Ngo Thi Hong Nhung, a fruit vendor, said: “I don’t order large quantities; I only order as I sell what I need. Transportation is convenient, and fresh goods arrive every day. I can sell while also assessing customer demand. This year, there are many shoppers, but the quantity purchased hasn’t increased,” Ms. Nhung shared.
Consumers are shopping for Tet early, planning ahead, choosing to celebrate the holiday simply, and dividing their spending to balance their budgets. Despite lingering anxieties, the excitement of going to the Tet market is evident on the faces of shoppers, choosing beautiful fruits for display, buying a few fresh flowers to add a touch of spring, stocking up on some cakes and sweets to treat guests, and taking advantage of the opportunity to buy some dried goods to bring back to their hometowns. Ms. Le Thi Lien, residing on Le Chan Street, Rach Gia Ward, said: “I haven’t bought much yet, but I have to go around the market every day to experience the Tet atmosphere. From now until the 29th of Tet, the market will be very lively.”
Regarding prices, observations at markets and shopping centers show that some fresh produce items tend to increase slightly with each market day due to gradually increasing demand and fluctuating input costs. Dry goods, packaged confectionery, and fast-moving consumer goods are relatively more stable because sellers proactively source their goods early and can easily stockpile them.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about origin, expiration dates, and labels. Along with this, the trend in Tet gifts is shifting towards practical, usable, and health-beneficial items. Therefore, products such as nuts, herbal teas, honey, bird's nest, local specialties, and OCOP products are in high demand as gifts. Many small traders proactively package gifts according to price ranges, clearly listing prices on each pre-packaged gift basket.
Despite being busy and having many worries, everyone is eager to shop for Tet (Lunar New Year) to have a more fulfilling celebration. Purchasing power is gradually increasing, goods are abundant, and orderly trading is ensured. Tet is fast approaching.
KIEU DIEM - TUONG VI
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/cho-tet-a476942.html
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