Hanoi: Increased control over the confectionery market during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The supply was prepared in advance.

By mid-December 2025, the Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere was clearly evident in Hanoi's confectionery market. In supermarkets, shopping malls, specialty stores, and local markets, Tet sweets were arranged in separate sections, with a wide variety of designs and eye-catching packaging, catering to different consumer segments.

According to observations, confectionery products for home consumption are commonly priced from around 70,000 to 150,000 VND per box. Meanwhile, the Tet gift basket segment ranges from 200,000 VND to 700,000 VND, and even higher for custom-designed gift baskets catering to the needs of gifting to partners, clients, and relatives. Consumer trends show that buyers are increasingly interested in brand, packaging, and product origin, rather than simply choosing based on price.

To meet the increased demand during the peak Tet holiday season, many confectionery businesses have reported proactively increasing production shifts and hiring additional staff well in advance. At production facilities, work schedules have been adjusted to extend production hours, with overtime shifts in the evenings or on weekends to ensure timely delivery to distribution networks. In addition to existing workers, businesses are also recruiting seasonal laborers, focusing on packaging, sorting, and finishing products. According to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, the amount of goods stockpiled for this year's Lunar New Year has increased by 10 to 20% compared to the same period last year, including confectionery products.

*Workers at Baker Baking Food Joint Stock Company produce confectionery in preparation for Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: Van Thi*

According to Mr. Nguyen The Hiep, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, to serve the New Year and Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse 2026), the Department has advised on the issuance of plans to stabilize the market, stimulate consumer demand, implement concentrated promotional programs, and ensure food safety.

To date, 19 businesses from Hanoi and several other provinces have participated in the price stabilization program, supplying goods through approximately 10,700 sales points, including 131 supermarkets, over 6,000 general and specialized stores, and 245 market stalls. This figure demonstrates the effort to "cover" all residential areas with price-stabilized goods, especially in suburban districts where people often have difficulty accessing affordable goods.

However, along with the bustling market, the risk of violations in the food business also increases. Years of experience show that the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year) always carries the potential for food of unknown origin and counterfeit goods to infiltrate the market through small businesses, informal sales points, or online sales channels. This poses a significant challenge to market management and food safety assurance in the capital city.

Strengthen inspections at the grassroots level to prevent the sale of substandard food during Tet.

Given this situation, Hanoi has identified strengthening inspection and control of the confectionery and food market during the Lunar New Year as a top priority. Authorities are required to closely monitor their areas, strictly controlling everything from business operations and distribution to warehouses and goods collection points, preventing food of unknown origin from entering the consumer market at the end of the year.

Inspection practice shows that violations mainly occur at small businesses, where compliance with regulations on invoices, documents, and legal requirements is limited.

Recently, on December 17, 2025, Team 2 of the Market Management Department of Hanoi City conducted an inspection of a food business located at 76A De Quai - Tu Lien Street, Hong Ha Ward, Hanoi City. At the time of the inspection, the business was found to be selling 50kg of various types of gummy candies of unknown origin, with a total value of 7,500,000 VND (based on the listed price) for the infringing goods.

In addition to the illegal sale of food products of unknown origin, the inspection team also discovered that the business was operating at the location without notifying the business registration authority as required. Market Management Team No. 2 issued an administrative violation report and temporarily seized all the infringing goods for further processing according to the law.

Previously, on December 12, 2025, Hanoi's Market Management force also inspected a food business at 94A An Duong Street, Hong Ha Ward, Hanoi City. During the inspection, the team discovered that the establishment was selling 56 kg of various types of preserved fruits (ô mai) of unknown origin. The entire quantity of goods lacked invoices and documents proving their legal origin, with a total value of 9,250,000 VND according to the listed price. Authorities temporarily seized all the infringing goods for further processing according to the law.

*Authorities inspect a business selling preserved fruit. Photo: Hanoi Market Management Department.*

These incidents occurred precisely when the market for confectionery and jams for Tet (Lunar New Year) was entering its peak consumption season, highlighting the real risk of food of unknown origin infiltrating the market if not strictly controlled at the grassroots level. The specific inspections of each location and each product demonstrate the decisive and direct approach taken by Hanoi's market management forces.

Representatives from the Hanoi City Market Management Department stated that in the coming period, the Department will continue to direct its Market Management Teams to strengthen market inspections and controls, focusing on food items consumed during the Lunar New Year, including confectionery, Tet jams, preserved fruits, and ready-made products. The goal is to prevent and strictly handle violations according to the law, ensuring that food of unknown origin or lacking legal compliance does not circulate in the market. This will contribute to market stability, food safety, and the protection of consumers' legitimate rights during the Lunar New Year.

The supply was prepared in advance.

Strengthen inspections at the grassroots level to prevent the sale of substandard food during Tet.

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