On the last afternoon of the Year of the Snake, many people were still busy taking their cars to be cleaned and prepared for the new year. However, contrary to expectations that "money can buy any service," many found themselves searching high and low but still couldn't find a place to wash their cars, even though prices had increased three to four times compared to normal days.
In the Thanh Sen ward area, numerous car washes closed early to prepare for Tet (Lunar New Year). Those that remained open only accepted regular customers or limited the number of vehicles in the morning, then gradually handed over the cars and stopped serving, leaving many who arrived later to turn back because there were no more places to wash their cars.
A car wash center on Le Hieu Street said it would only accept fewer than 10 cars before closing for Tet (Lunar New Year). The price for washing ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per car. The limited number of cars accepted is to ensure each vehicle is thoroughly cleaned, so customers can use them with peace of mind during Tet.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Lam, the owner of the facility, even though there were new customers willing to pay millions of VND for a thorough car wash on the last day of the year, the garage still had to refuse because the staff had been working continuously for many days and were overloaded. At this time, the facility prioritizes serving regular customers to "maintain relationships," and only accepts a moderate number of vehicles to ensure that each car is meticulously cared for and clean before being handed over for Tet.
Similarly, a garage on Le Duan Street only received 4-5 cars on the morning of the 29th of the 12th lunar month, mostly regular customers, and closed completely by the afternoon. A simple exterior wash costs a few hundred thousand dong; a thorough interior cleaning can cost up to 400,000-500,000 dong per car.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, the garage owner, dozens of customers contacted him on the morning of the 29th of the 12th lunar month, but the business only accepted a few cars from regular customers before closing. While the price increase for a simple car wash wasn't significant, a more thorough cleaning costs between 400,000 and 500,000 VND per car.
"Closer to Tet, the workers are still working while everyone else is preparing to take a break, so prices have been adjusted. Many customers are willing to pay more, but the workshop can't accept more because the workforce is already overloaded," Mr. Binh added.
In areas outside the city center, car wash prices are more affordable, around 150,000 - 200,000 VND per vehicle. Even so, finding a place to get your car washed isn't easy. Many people reported that they've been going since the 27th of the 12th lunar month, but every shop is either crowded or has announced they're no longer accepting cars.
“I went to get my car washed on the 27th of the 12th lunar month, but every shop was crowded, and I waited forever without getting my turn. I came back two days ago, but many places have stopped accepting customers or are closed for Tet. I have a car wash machine at home, but I've been busy cleaning and preparing everything, so I haven't had time to use it. If I still can't find a place to wash my car by the afternoon of the 29th, I'll probably have to wash it myself to have a clean car for Tet,” shared Mr. Phan Hong Quan (Duc Tho commune).
In reality, on the last day of the year, high prices are no longer the biggest obstacle. What makes many car owners anxious is the lack of time and the limited number of establishments willing to provide service. Many people, by the afternoon of the 29th of the lunar month, have to turn back and wash their cars at home to prepare for Tet (Lunar New Year).
The increase in service prices due to supply and demand in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) is understandable, especially since car washers continue working until the holiday while many others are already celebrating with their families. Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the final hours of the year, the story of car washing is not just about price, but also reflects the hectic pace of both service providers and customers before the new year.
Source: https://baohatinh.vn/do-mat-tim-noi-ve-sinh-xe-hop-ngay-29-tet-post305980.html
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