People 'hunt' for imported fresh pine branches to celebrate Christmas

High price still sold out

In early December, at flower markets, ornamental plant shops and Christmas decoration stores in Hanoi, imported fresh pine branches have become a sought-after item by many consumers. Items such as whole real pine trees, individual pine branches have diverse origins from China, Europe to high-end imported lines from cold countries. Ms. Thu Huong , owner of a fresh flower shop on Nghia Tan Street (Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi) said that imported pine trees about 1.25 - 2m high are being sold for 5 - 7.5 million VND each; in particular, trees 2 - 3m high cost 8.5 - 13.5 million VND.

Not only solid trees, fresh pine branches are also widely sold. According to records at many retail points in Hanoi, imported pine branches cost around 80,000 - 120,000 VND/branch (for those imported from China) and 170,000 - 400,000 VND/branch (for those of European origin). Some stores offer discounted "fresh pine sets", only around 99,000 VND/set to attract consumers.

*Imported fresh pine branches are being sought after by consumers. Photo: NVCC*

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, owner of a bonsai shop in Tay Ho ward, Hanoi, the attraction of imported fresh pine trees comes from their natural beauty, characteristic scent and the “real Christmas” feeling that plastic trees have difficulty creating.

Many traders said that pine trees imported from Denmark are transported to Hanoi by air to maintain their freshness; despite the high price, the trees are still "sold out". The small branches, about 1 - 1.2m in height, are very suitable for apartments and households, and are popular with many customers.

Many families choose fresh branches or small trees to save money while still having a “Christmas feel”. Some stores apply discounts and promotions to attract retail customers.

Imported fresh pine trees flood the "online market"

Not only stopping at traditional stores, this year the online market in Hanoi has exploded significantly with fresh pine branches and imported pine trees. On many Facebook groups, e-commerce platforms, private sellers and bonsai shops advertise their products vigorously, along with real photos, videos of trees, clear price lists and home delivery services. Thanks to that, customers can easily refer to many options, compare prices and place orders without having to go directly to the market or store.

According to a survey by a reporter from Cong Thuong Newspaper, on online market groups, the same type of common branches are offered for sale from 150,000 - 190,000 VND/branch for popular products and 220,000 - 330,000 VND/branch for high-end products, not much different from traditional stores.

At the same time, the price of whole pine trees also has a significant difference, much lower than in traditional markets, specifically: 1 - 1.2m tall trees sold directly at stores are usually from 4 - 5 million VND, while many online shops sell them at 3.2 - 4.2 million VND, depending on the time of import and storage costs.

*Fresh pine branches are posted for sale on social media groups. Screenshot*

Ms. Pham Thu Hong (40 years old, Cau Giay ward, Hanoi) said: “I compared the price at a store in Tay Ho and the price on Facebook, the difference was nearly 500,000 VND for a 1.4m tree. The online shop recorded a detailed video so I was quite assured. Because it was more convenient and cheaper, my family switched to ordering online.”

Online sellers benefit from lower operating costs, as they don’t have to rent large premises. This allows them to offer flexible pricing, especially when new products arrive or when they need to speed up capital turnover.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Loc, owner of a shop specializing in selling imported pine trees on Facebook, shared: “Online prices are usually 10-20% cheaper than traditional stores. We import in large batches and sell directly from the warehouse, reducing costs a lot. At this time, I deliver about 70-90 orders a day, mainly 1-1.5m trees and individual branches to young customers.”

However, online price competition also brings risks. Some sellers use misleading illustrations, or deliver branches that are dry or broken due to poor packaging.

Ms. Le Minh Anh (32 years old, Ba Dinh ward, Hanoi) shared her unsatisfactory experience: "I ordered a 60cm tree but received only about 45cm, the branches were much sparser than the picture the shop posted. The online price is really cheap but if the shop is not reputable, the risk is very high."

To overcome this, many sellers have adopted the “spin-off” model, allowing customers to choose the exact tree they will receive. Some shops even send videos of the packaging process to build trust.

Mr. Tien Loc added: “Online customers are very careful now. We take detailed photos of each tree, ensure the size is as described and accept returns within 24 hours if the tree is damaged during shipping. Competition is fierce, but reputable stores will retain customers for a long time.”

In addition, the low-cost segment with fresh branches imported from China or mini pine trees has become popular, suitable for small households and those who want to save money. The ease of “comparing online, ordering, and home delivery” has created a new trend, a modern and convenient Christmas but still maintaining the traditional atmosphere thanks to real trees.

Online shopping channels are rapidly promoting innovation trends, "online markets" help consumers easily access many options, clear prices, and conveniently order and receive goods at home.

The demand for fresh pine branches or imported real pine trees for Christmas is increasing rapidly. Although the price is expensive, with some trees costing tens of millions, there is still a stable number of customers, mainly in the segment of families with stable incomes, or those who want a "real" Christmas atmosphere.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/nguoi-dan-san-lung-canh-thong-tuoi-nhap-khau-don-giang-sinh-434057.html