Car wash services are overloaded as Tet approaches.

The high demand for car washes during Tet (Lunar New Year) has led to an overload of services in Nghe An province. Despite the higher cost, customers are willing to wait to have their vehicles clean and ready for the holiday.

Observations at car washes on the central streets of Thanh Vinh and Truong Vinh wards show a dramatic increase in the number of cars queuing for washing compared to normal days. Previously, each car wash only served about 20-30 cars per day, but during the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), this number has increased two to three times, and in some places even reached 70-80 cars, with a constant stream of customers.

Many cars lined up at a car wash in Truong Vinh ward during Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: QA

According to business owners, demand surges after the day of bidding farewell to the Kitchen God and peaks in the final days before the Tet holiday. The general sentiment among people is to clean their houses and vehicles thoroughly for convenient visits to relatives and friends. Many believe that washing their cars at the end of the year also signifies "renewal," a wish for a smooth and prosperous new year.

Mr. Pham Thanh Hung, the owner of a car wash in Truong Vinh ward, said that to meet the increased customer demand, his establishment had to hire additional seasonal workers and also mobilize relatives to help. Employees work continuously from early morning, taking turns eating quickly before returning to work with hoses and cleaning cloths. "Normally, we can still take appointments, but during this period, it's first come, first served, because there are so many customers that we can't schedule appointments precisely," Mr. Hung shared.

Car washes in Xuan Lam commune operate continuously during the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: QA

Service prices have also been adjusted. While car washes normally cost between 70,000 and 100,000 VND per vehicle, the price increases to a common range of 120,000 to 150,000 VND during the Tet holiday season; vehicles with heavy dirt and requiring thorough interior cleaning may cost even more. Shop owners explain that the increase is to compensate for labor costs and pay higher wages to workers during the days leading up to Tet.

Despite the price increase, many customers happily accept it. Mr. Hoang Van Tam, residing in Truong Vinh ward, said that every year his family takes their car to be washed at the end of the year, even when the car isn't too dirty. "We travel a lot throughout the year, so getting it clean at the end of the year is reassuring for visiting relatives and friends during Tet. They provide service until almost closing time, so the slightly higher price is reasonable," Mr. Tam said.

The car was thoroughly washed in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: QA

According to our research, each car requires approximately 20-30 minutes to complete all the steps: high-pressure water spraying to remove mud and dirt, spraying specialized cleaning solution, washing the body, drying, polishing the tires, vacuuming, and cleaning the interior. For cars that have traveled long distances and are heavily soiled, the time may be longer. The biggest challenge is ensuring the schedule is met while maintaining quality, avoiding shoddy work during busy periods.

After washing, the car is thoroughly cleaned before being handed over to the customer. Photo: QA

Despite the surge in revenue during the Lunar New Year holiday, car wash businesses also face numerous challenges. Limited space forces cars to line up on sidewalks; electricity and water costs increase sharply; and employees work intensely, easily becoming fatigued. Some locations are forced to refuse additional cars during peak hours to avoid overload.

Advertising

Source: https://baonghean.vn/sat-tet-dich-vu-rua-xe-qua-tai-10323761.html