The market for offerings is diverse.
As the Lantern Festival (the 15th day of the first lunar month) approaches, the market for offerings becomes vibrant with a wide variety of items such as fruits for offerings, vegetarian offerings, and non-vegetarian offerings, in many designs and price ranges to suit various customer segments.
According to a survey by reporters from the Industry and Trade Newspaper, at local markets and wholesale markets in Hanoi such as Long Bien Market, Nghia Tan Market, and Linh Nam Market, the market for offerings for the Lunar New Year's full moon this year is very vibrant with a wide variety of goods.
Many types of flowers are sold for offerings during the Lantern Festival (Rằm tháng Giêng).
For offerings during this occasion, chrysanthemums, gladioli, and lilies are the preferred choices. According to surveys at local markets in Hanoi, yellow chrysanthemums range from 10,000 to 20,000 VND per flower, or 90,000 to 150,000 VND per bunch (10 stems), depending on size; Chrysanthemums cost from 25,000 to 50,000 VND per bunch (5-6 stems), depending on whether they are single or double-petaled; gladioli cost from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per flower; and lilies range from approximately 120,000 to 200,000 VND per bunch (5-10 stems), depending on type and quality.
Speaking to a reporter from the Industry and Trade Newspaper, Nguyen Thi Binh, a small business owner at Nghia Tan Market, said that the number of customers has increased significantly in recent days, sometimes two to three times more than usual. Fresh flowers in vibrant colors like yellow, red, and white are preferred by many homeowners. This year, customers are focusing on flowers that symbolize serenity, elegance, and bring good fortune and peace at the beginning of the year.
Consumers prioritize choosing fresh, brightly colored flowers for the full moon day, which is considered the most important day of the year.
According to vendors, the weather leading up to the full moon of the first lunar month this year has been characterized by prolonged drizzle and dampness, causing many types of flowers used for offerings to wilt more easily, with damaged petals, discoloration, and faster wilting compared to dry conditions. Therefore, the prices of some types of flowers may increase slightly compared to previous periods.
Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Huyen (36 years old, Nghia Do ward, Hanoi) shared that although the prices are slightly higher than in previous years, the variety of designs makes it easier to choose. This year, I find the flowers for offerings very beautiful, with brighter and more vibrant colors. I chose yellow chrysanthemums and red gladiolus because they are both elegant and last a long time.
A variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings are available.
Alongside flowers, vegetarian offerings such as sticky rice, sweet soup, and steamed buns are also displayed in a variety of styles and shapes. This year, manufacturers have incorporated many creative aesthetic elements, bringing to the market unique, colorful, and creatively shaped products.
According to a survey by reporters from the Industry and Trade Newspaper, the prices of items for the Mid-Autumn Festival offerings this year have increased slightly by 5-10%, mainly due to higher food costs compared to the same period last year.
Specifically, sticky rice dishes such as gac fruit sticky rice, mung bean sticky rice, and five-color sticky rice are sold at prices ranging from 50,000 to 90,000 VND per plate depending on size; sweet soup costs around 30,000 to 50,000 VND per plate; and sticky rice cakes cost from 40,000 to 60,000 VND per box depending on the number of cakes. Widely available in traditional markets and food stores, vegetarian products such as vegetarian offerings and steamed buns are priced from 25,000 to 60,000 VND per set.
The online market is booming.
Besides the traditional market, the online market is also experiencing equally vibrant activity. According to a survey conducted by reporters from the Industry and Trade Newspaper on online sales groups, ready-to-eat foods such as sticky rice, sweet soup, sausage, banh chung (Vietnamese rice cake), chicken, vegetarian feasts, fruits, etc., are the most sought-after items.
Online marketplaces are bustling with services for ordering offerings for religious ceremonies.
Browsing online marketplaces, it's easy to find posts selling ready-made savory dishes for ancestral worship ceremonies. Specifically, chicken, boiled meat, roasted meat, and pork sausage are the most popular items. A whole boiled chicken is advertised for around 450,000 - 600,000 VND depending on size; boiled meat costs from 80,000 - 120,000 VND per serving; and roasted meat costs from 100,000 - 150,000 VND per serving.
In addition, all-inclusive catering packages are a popular item on online marketplaces due to their convenience, diverse designs, and prices, suitable for a wide range of customers.
Although prices are slightly higher than last year's holiday season, many consumers, including Ms. Dao Thuy Quynh (25 years old, Nghia Do ward, Hanoi), still prefer pre-cooked feast sets because of their convenience. "I choose complete sets with savory dishes, vegetarian dishes, fruit, etc., to save time. These days I'm busy with work, so I prioritize speed and convenience, as long as the food is fresh, delicious, and meets all the traditional customs," Ms. Quynh explained.
According to many small business owners, prices on online marketplaces are 5-7% cheaper than traditional markets due to the elimination of overhead costs. Ms. Tran Minh Ngoc, who specializes in providing ready-to-eat meals on online marketplaces, said: “Although the prices are lower, the quality of goods is still guaranteed, and products are even carefully selected to maintain customer trust. Delivery fees range from 15,000 to 30,000 VND depending on the area, with many orders within a short radius receiving free delivery. While the profit margin per product isn't high, the stable order volume and reduced operating costs ensure that sellers still make a profit.”
According to Ms. Ngoc, most of her online customers are repeat customers who, after placing an order once, continue to order on other occasions. Therefore, by the 10th day of the first lunar month, she had already received a full order for the Lunar New Year's Full Moon ceremony from both regular and new customers.
With the booming online market, many traditional small business owners have begun to adapt to the "online marketplace." Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh said that since the Tet Ong Cong Ong Tao (Kitchen God) festival, she has been researching and posting her goods on community groups around her neighborhood: " Once I got into the 'online marketplace,' in addition to my regular customers at the traditional market, I gained many new customers who are working professionals or busy with their jobs. The number of online orders has gradually increased during each holiday, significantly improving my income. I still sell directly at my stall as before, but combining it with the online channel makes my business more stable and proactive."
This year's market for offerings for the Lunar New Year's full moon celebration is not only diverse in terms of types but also reflects a subtle shift in Vietnamese consumer culture. The offerings are increasingly focused on aesthetics, creativity in arrangement, and taste in product selection.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/da-dang-thi-truong-do-cung-ram-thang-gieng-444541.html
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