Get ready for Tet (Lunar New Year) shopping, without worrying about price hikes.

With just over 10 days left until the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, more goods are arriving in Ho Chi Minh City; purchasing power has increased significantly, and customers are bustling from the moment shops open until late at night.

Sweets, preserves, and other Tet decorations are attracting a large number of customers.

On the afternoon of January 28th, customers flocked to Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street (District 5) and Thap Muoi Street (District 6) to choose Tet decorations. "The prices here are reasonable, the goods are abundant, and it's easy to choose. Pairs of dragon figurines decorated with gold glitter, and hanging ornaments for the God of Wealth are always 30,000-70,000 VND cheaper each than in other shops," said Nguyen Van Lam, a resident of Binh Tan District.

The atmosphere at the market was bustling with activity… Staff at Truong Muoi and Vinh Mai stores (An Dong Market) were constantly busy serving customers. At Binh Tay Market (District 6), the number of customers was significantly higher than usual. Items such as shredded squid (280,000 VND/kg), dried beef, pumpkin seeds (140,000 VND/kg), sunflower seeds (90,000 VND/kg), golden cashews (260,000 VND/kg), and silk cashews (220,000 VND/kg) were in high demand.

Ms. Ngoc Lan, owner of a shop specializing in Tet jams, candies, and dried goods in Binh Chanh district, shared that on January 28th and 29th, she sourced an additional 100kg of goods from Binh Tay market to sell to individual customers via Zalo and Facebook. Purchasing power during this period increased two to three times, exceeding expectations. This is likely because more people stayed in Ho Chi Minh City this year, leading to higher demand.

Customers choose to buy cashews and various dried goods at Binh Tay Market (District 6, Ho Chi Minh City), on the afternoon of January 28. Photo: GIA HAN

Plenty of stock, stable prices.

A few days ago, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade conducted a survey and held meetings with key businesses in Lam Dong province . Locals have prepared large quantities of goods (vegetables, fruits, and Tet holiday food) at good prices, sufficient to supply the people of Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas.

Mr. Nguyen Nhu, Deputy General Director of Thu Duc Agricultural Products Market Management and Business Joint Stock Company, added that fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers, etc., arriving at the market these days are quite abundant and prices are stable; goods from Lam Dong account for about 40% of the total amount of vegetables arriving at the market. Some types of fresh flowers arriving at the market this Tet season have lower prices compared to the same period last year.

According to estimates from the Department of Industry and Trade, the total amount of agricultural products arriving at the three wholesale markets (Binh Dien, Hoc Mon, and Thu Duc) meets approximately 70% of Ho Chi Minh City's consumer demand, at about 7,600 tons per day. This includes 800 tons of livestock and poultry meat; 1,200 tons of seafood; and 5,600 tons of vegetables and fruits. 45 units are involved in supplying and distributing essential food items for the Tet holiday…

In supermarkets and shopping malls across Ho Chi Minh City, sales have increased significantly in the past few days. MM Mega Market has increased its total inventory by 20%-30%, ensuring a balanced supply and stable prices throughout the Tet holiday. They have also launched a series of promotions and discounts, extending opening hours from 6 AM to 10 PM throughout the holiday. Some centers will even stay open until midnight during the peak week before Tet… Saigon Co.op is implementing the “Come to Co.op and bring Tet home” program at 800 locations nationwide. Currently, online Tet shopping orders have increased by about 50% compared to normal and are being delivered immediately by the supermarkets.

Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, said that businesses participating in market stabilization programs have committed to not increasing prices before, during, and after Tet (Lunar New Year). The amount of price-stabilized goods accounts for 25%-43% of the total goods supplied to the market. The Department of Industry and Trade is closely coordinating with relevant inter-agency forces and district authorities to monitor and prevent price increases of essential consumer goods; and will strictly penalize businesses that violate regulations, contributing to market stability…

THI HONG

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