A variety of vegetarian dishes for the Vu Lan season.

In July (lunar calendar) every year, the demand for vegetarian food increases significantly. Accordingly, at traditional markets and supermarkets in Can Tho City, as well as online sales channels, a wide variety of vegetarian food is available to meet consumer needs.

According to observations at several vegetarian food businesses in Can Tho City, the vegetarian food market has gradually become more vibrant since the beginning of July (lunar calendar). Consumer demand for vegetarian food has increased significantly as the 15th day of the 7th lunar month approaches – the Vu Lan Festival.

On the other hand, in recent years, more and more people have chosen vegetarian food for their daily meals. Many young people are also enthusiastically experiencing vegetarian cuisine as a modern lifestyle, both for detoxifying the body and contributing to environmental protection.

Therefore, the supply of vegetarian food in the city is quite abundant. Most products are manufactured by Vietnamese businesses at prices suitable for a wide range of customers. Ready-to-eat frozen vegetarian foods, with clear origin and labeling, provide consumers with more choices and peace of mind. Currently, stores, supermarkets, and markets have prepared enough products for the entire month of July, so although demand has increased, prices for vegetarian food remain relatively stable.

Mr. Vo Van Dung, owner of the Tinh Khiet Vegetarian Food store on Tran Hung Dao Street, Ninh Kieu Ward, said: "In July, also known as the Vu Lan month, the number of customers is very high from the beginning of the month and continues until the end, especially on the full moon day. In recent days, the number of customers buying vegetarian food at the store has increased by about 20%. The store proactively prepared goods to serve customers during this period, so the supply is stable and prices have not fluctuated compared to normal days."

In Can Tho City, vegetarian food is quite diverse and widely sold through various distribution channels, from specialized stores to traditional markets, shopping malls, supermarkets, and online sales. Among these, vegetarian food items such as tofu, various types of mushrooms, vegetables, and fruits are experiencing strong market demand.

Various types of Vietnamese sausage (chả lụa, chả cá, bò lá lốt) cost around 70,000 VND/package; steamed buns (bánh bao, sủi cảo, há cảo, bánh nếp) cost around 40,000 VND/package; spring rolls (chả giò) cost around 50,000 VND/package. Dried foods such as chicken nuggets, pork chops, pork ribs, beef slices, chicken slices, etc., cost from 25,000-70,000 VND/package. Canned vegetarian foods such as various types of pâté, pork ribs in tomato sauce, braised pork/beef with beans, soy-based cold cuts, etc., cost around 40,000 VND/box. To save cooking time, some packaged vegetarian foods such as concentrated Thai-style hot pot broth, mushroom-flavored broth, etc., cost from 17,000-25,000 VND/package; vegetable and mushroom soup, vegetarian sour soup, seaweed and tofu soup, etc., cost from 25,000-55,000 VND/box. Instant vegetarian food options include a full range of noodles, pho, vermicelli, porridge, etc., priced at around 4,000 VND per packet; vegetarian snacks such as shredded dried meat, crispy rice, cakes, dried meat, etc., are priced at around 25,000 VND per item.

Supermarkets throughout the city offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to consumers.

At supermarkets like Co.opMart, Go!, and Bach Hoa Xanh, many vegetarian products are on sale with discounts of 10-20% to stimulate consumer demand. The range of vegetarian products is extensive, including items like spring rolls, dumplings, vegetarian spices, dried foods, and ready-to-eat foods. In particular, fresh vegetables and fruits are always readily available. Some supermarkets have also increased the quantity of ready-to-eat vegetarian dishes (stir-fried noodles, vegetarian rice, vegetarian sour soup, etc.) to cater to customers' needs for dine-in or takeaway.

These days, vegetarian restaurants in the city are bustling with customers dining in or taking away. The restaurants offer a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, from rice, vermicelli soup with crab, Hue-style beef noodle soup, pho, Quang-style noodles, curry, stir-fried noodles, and steamed rice rolls… priced from 25,000 VND per serving to various hot pot dishes costing around 80,000 VND per serving; and vegetarian snacks such as dried seaweed, crispy rice, and various pastries… priced from 15,000 VND per serving.

In addition, the city currently has many shops, restaurants, and online kitchens specializing in vegetarian food, helping consumers save time on cooking. These places offer a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, giving customers many choices and diverse menus to vary their meals.

In addition, to celebrate the full moon of the seventh lunar month, various types of sticky rice, sweet soups, cakes, and jellies are creatively and beautifully shaped, adding to the festive atmosphere. Specifically, molded sticky rice in the shape of lotus flowers, chrysanthemums, roses, etc., costs from 20,000 to 80,000 VND per mold; lotus flower and peach-shaped jellies cost around 90,000 VND per set; and steamed buns shaped like peaches or lotus flowers cost around 90,000 VND per set of 5. Sweet soups such as glutinous rice balls in sweet soup cost from 40,000 to 70,000 VND per dozen; white bean sweet soup costs 85,000 to 100,000 VND per kg; and mung bean sweet soup costs from 90,000 to 120,000 VND per kg.

The vegetarian food market is currently quite rich and diverse, making it easy for consumers to shop both in-store and online. However, to ensure product safety and quality, consumers should choose products with guaranteed quality and clear origins when purchasing food. Consumers should avoid buying products that are unregulated, of unknown origin, or that are deformed.

Text and photos: L. MẪN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/da-dang-thuc-pham-chay-phuc-vu-mua-vu-lan-a190469.html