In some places, flower vendors are worried about slow sales and are having to consider lowering prices, while in other areas, kumquat growers are delighted because their stock is selling out, and prices have increased by 10-15%. In addition, vegetables and fruits are scarce in areas affected by floods, causing consumers to be more cautious about their spending at the end of the year.
Consumer demand for ornamental flowers is weak.
The Tet flower market in Rach Gia ward, An Giang province has been quite quiet in recent days. Photo: Van Si/TTXVN
The Tet flower market for the year of the Horse 2026 in Rach Gia ward, An Giang province, started in mid-December and continues to this day with about 500 small traders selling ornamental plants and flowers in many areas such as Phu Cuong urban area, Tran Quang Khai Square, An Hoa Cultural Park, etc. However, according to the traders, sales have been quite slow for more than a week, mainly with visitors coming to admire the flowers, so the quantity of flowers sold has not been much.
Mr. Tran Van Hung, a small-scale flower vendor selling Tet flowers in the Tran Quang Khai square area (Rach Gia ward), said that he is from Vinh Long province and this year's Tet (Year of the Horse) is the first time he and his wife have come here to do business. The ornamental plants and flowers on display include yellow apricot blossoms, chrysanthemums, marigolds, bougainvillea, etc.; among them, yellow apricot blossoms make up the majority with about 80 trees, ranging from small (under 1 meter tall) to large (over 1.5 meters). These apricot trees are grown and shaped by his family to serve the Tet holiday, while more than 150 other potted ornamental flowers are bought wholesale from nurseries to increase profits and cover the costs of renting boats, trucks, and business premises.
Mr. Hung also said that he and his wife have been selling Tet flowers for over 15 years, maintaining the same quantity each year: about 60 apricot blossom trees and 150 potted ornamental plants of various kinds. In previous years, Mr. Hung usually sold in Can Tho , Ben Tre City, and the former Vinh Long City, selling more than 90% of the trees and flowers he displayed. The price of Mr. Hung's yellow apricot blossom trees ranges from 200,000 VND/small tree; medium-sized trees cost from 2 million to 5 million VND (depending on the shape); and large trees cost from 5 million to 50 million VND/tree (depending on the shape).
“I’m busy attracting customers to sell yellow apricot blossom trees, while my wife is busy selling chrysanthemums, marigolds, bougainvillea, etc. However, from the 18th of the 12th lunar month until now, it’s been a week, but we’ve only sold 16 yellow apricot blossom trees and 35 potted ornamental plants. Compared to previous Tet holidays, the sales of Tet flowers are slow, because usually by the 25th of the 12th lunar month, we’d have sold at least 60% of the plants and flowers on display. The prices of apricot blossom trees and other flowers this Tet have increased by about 10% compared to previous years due to increased material and transportation costs. Given the current situation, my wife and I discussed it and agreed that from the 25th onwards, we would start reducing prices by about 10%-15% compared to the first few days, hoping to sell all the plants and flowers,” Mr. Hung shared.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, a small business owner selling Tet flowers in Phu Cuong urban area, Rach Gia ward, is in a similar situation. Ms. Thu said that this is her fourth year selling Tet flowers in this area, displaying over 4,000 pots of various types: marigolds, morning glory, bougainvillea, lucky bamboo, chrysanthemums, ornamental chili peppers, cockscomb… Compared to previous Tet seasons, the prices of these flowers have increased by about 7%. A pot of 7 marigolds costs 70,000 VND, a pair of chrysanthemums costs 180,000 VND, cockscomb costs 60,000 VND/pot, and bougainvillea ranges from 150,000 to over 15 million VND/pot. By the end of the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, Ms. Thu had sold a total of 1,800 pots of ornamental flowers, about 45% of the total number of flowers displayed for sale during the Tet holiday of the Year of the Horse (2016).
According to Ms. Thu, to sell 4,000 pots of Tet flowers, she hired five people to help with guarding, caring for, selling, and transporting the flowers for free to customers within Rach Gia ward, at a rate of 250,000 to 400,000 VND per person per day; the rental cost for the space was 10 million VND. “I buy ornamental flowers from nurseries inside and outside the province, so I incur transportation and labor costs. Therefore, I have to try to sell at least 85% of the quantity to make a profit. For now, on the 25th, I will maintain the old price, and from the 26th of Tet, I will start reducing the price by about 10% hoping to sell all the flowers by the evening of the 28th so I can go home, clean up, and prepare for Tet for my family,” Ms. Thu said.
People buy Tet flowers at Tran Quang Khai Square flower market, Rach Gia, An Giang. Photo: Van Si/TTXVN.
While shopping for Tet flowers in Rach Gia, Ms. Tran Thi Nhung, a resident of Chau Thanh commune, An Giang province, shared that the price of Tet flowers this year has increased slightly compared to previous Tet holidays. However, the increase is not significant compared to other goods, and the prices are still affordable. “If we consider that most goods have increased in price since the beginning of 2025, then the slight increase in the price of ornamental flowers is acceptable. Besides, each household buying a few potted ornamental plants doesn't cost much; depending on their financial situation, they can choose suitable types to display in front of their house to make it look beautiful and prosperous,” Ms. Nhung expressed.
According to the Department of Industry and Trade of An Giang province, to serve the Tet flower market in 2026, gardeners in the province are preparing about 2 million pots and ornamental plants of various types. Besides plants and flowers from within the province, traders are also purchasing many plants and flowers from other provinces and cities to ensure supply to meet the Tet shopping needs of the people.
Most markets and urban centers in the province have designated areas for selling Tet flowers, offering a diverse and abundant selection of ornamental plants and flowers characteristic of the province's Tet holiday, catering to the shopping needs of local people. The Provincial Department of Industry and Trade has also proactively coordinated with relevant departments, units, and local authorities to facilitate the allocation of space, enhance security and order, and ensure traffic safety, so that gardeners, small traders, and residents can conduct their business conveniently and safely, contributing to a joyful and happy Tet holiday for the people.
Ornamental kumquats are selling well.
Transporting kumquats for sale. Photo: Cong Luat/TTXVN
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, on the vast kumquat orchards in Vi Khe ward, considered the kumquat growing capital of Ninh Binh province, people are busy digging up trees and loading them onto waiting trucks along the roadside for sale. This year, the weather has been favorable, tree prices have increased, and demand is higher than in previous years, making kumquat growers very happy.
The kumquat orchard of Mr. Vu Trong Quyen, in Van Diep 2 residential area, spanning 2 sao (approximately 2,000 square meters) with nearly 100 trees aged 3-4 years, was completely loaded onto trucks by the afternoon of the 24th day of the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse (2016) for traders to transport to Hai Phong for sale. This was the family's last kumquat orchard for this year's Tet season. Thanks to favorable weather, the kumquat trees grew healthily, with green leaves, strong branches, large fruits, and beautiful shapes, making them very popular in the market. Many traders had come to inspect and place deposits early.
Mr. Vu Trong Quyen shared that his family has a total of 5 sao (approximately 0.5 hectares) of kumquat trees, aged 1-4 years. Currently, about 90% of the trees have been sold, with the remaining trees being sold retail and already reserved by customers. This year's kumquat market is very vibrant; he received his first customer order as early as August (lunar calendar), and by November, he had basically sold out. The price of 4-year-old kumquat trees at the farm is 3.5-4 million VND/tree; 2-year-old trees sell for 1.7-2 million VND/tree. This year's prices are 10-15% higher than last year.
Observations show that in the kumquat orchards of Van Diep 2 residential area, people have sold about 80% of their crop. This year, the kumquat market is booming, and many orchard owners have had to hire extra workers to dig up the trees and load them onto trucks to ensure timely delivery.
Mr. Do Duc Thuy, from Van Diep 2 residential area, said that this year his family has about 400 two-year-old kumquat trees for Tet (Lunar New Year) and traders placed orders very early. His family has already sold nearly 100 trees in one batch; today (the 24th day of the 12th lunar month) they are delivering over 100 more trees for sale. To meet the delivery deadline, the family had to mobilize manpower and hire workers to dig up the roots and tie the branches with plastic bags so that traders could transport them overnight to provinces and cities in Central Vietnam for sale.
People in Nam Phong kumquat growing area, Vi Khe ward, are harvesting kumquat trees. Photo: Cong Luat/TTXVN.
According to Mr. Thuy, this year the kumquat trees are growing well, with large, uniform fruits, and the selling price is also higher than in previous years. Two-year-old kumquat trees are currently being sold by his family for about 2 million VND per tree, while in previous years they only ranged from 1.5 to 1.6 million VND per tree. Because most of the trees were pre-ordered early, the market for individual kumquat trees this year is experiencing a shortage, making it difficult for customers who buy late to find a satisfactory tree.
Mr. Do Dinh Khu, a trader specializing in buying kumquats in Vi Khe ward, said that for the past four years, at the beginning of November in the lunar calendar each year, he usually surveys and selects kumquats from orchards to transport to the mountainous province of Son La for sale. Vi Khe kumquats have long been known for their large fruit, green leaves, and beautiful shape, making them popular among locals and ensuring stable demand. To date, he has transported two shipments and plans to make the final one on the morning of the 25th of Tet (Lunar New Year).
Following the merger, Vi Khe ward is the locality with the largest kumquat growing area in Ninh Binh province, with a total area of over 70 hectares in the Nam Toan and Nam Phong areas. Mr. Hoang Ngoc Duy, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Vi Khe ward, said that this year the kumquat market is quite vibrant. By the afternoon of the 24th day of the Lunar New Year, the locality had sold over 80% of the planted area, and the price of kumquats this year has also increased compared to previous years, making the people very happy. To support kumquat growers, the locality has invested in infrastructure, improved the transportation system, and created conditions for people to access preferential loans. During Tet, the locality also ensured smooth traffic flow, facilitating the transportation and sale of kumquats.
Vegetable prices have risen sharply.
People choose to buy vegetables for Tet (Lunar New Year) at CoopMart Thanh Ha supermarket in Phan Rang ward. Photo: Cong Thu/TTXVN.
Meanwhile, as Tet approaches, consumers in Khanh Hoa are feeling anxious because the prices of vegetables and fruits are fluctuating and have increased significantly compared to the beginning of the month.
In supermarkets in the southern part of Khanh Hoa province, vegetables are priced from 35,000 to 40,000 VND/kg; root vegetables and fruits are similarly priced, all showing a 50% increase compared to the beginning of the month. Onions, garlic, and chili peppers remain at high prices. Specifically, garlic costs 159,000 VND/kg; chili peppers cost 120,000 VND/kg depending on the type. Not only in supermarkets, but also in traditional markets and local markets, vegetable prices don't vary much, and the lack of variety and abundance makes it difficult for people to choose and shop during this Tet holiday.
Speaking with a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporter on the morning of February 12th, people shopping for Tet (Lunar New Year) at traditional markets such as Dong Market, Phan Rang Market, or at CoopMart Thanh Ha supermarket (Phan Rang ward) all shared the same opinion: as Tet approaches, most consumer products, especially vegetables and fruits, have increased in price compared to the beginning of the month. Some products, such as chili peppers and whole peppercorns, have maintained their high prices.
Many small traders at Dong Market expressed that after the historic floods at the end of November 2025, the prices of vegetables and other produce increased. Then, in January and the first few days of February 2026, prices stabilized and were in line with consumer demand. Now, as Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, prices are soaring again, higher than before.
People choose to buy vegetables for Tet (Lunar New Year) at CoopMart Thanh Ha supermarket in Phan Rang ward. Photo: Cong Thu/TTXVN.
According to an analysis by the leaders of the Department of Industry and Trade of Khanh Hoa province, compared to the same period in 2025, the prices of vegetables and crops have doubled. It is easy to see that at the end of 2025, due to heavy rains and floods, most vegetable crops suffered significant damage. After the floods, the reconstruction of production was not timely, resulting in products not being harvested in time and insufficient supply for the market. Furthermore, during the Tet holiday, the demand for shopping and consumption increases, so the lack of supply and the resulting price increase are understandable.
Reporters' observations in Ninh Chu and Vinh Hai communes, considered the vegetable hub in the southern part of Khanh Hoa province, show that in recent days, only simple vegetables like scallions, sawtooth coriander, and chives have been harvested and sold to traders. Other vegetables are mostly not yet ready for harvest for the Tet holiday, so the supply at traditional and local markets is very limited. Meanwhile, supermarkets, thanks to supplies imported from neighboring provinces, offer a relatively diverse range of products, but only in small quantities.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thi-truong-tien-te/thi-truong-hoa-cay-canh-tet-noi-tram-lang-noi-chay-hang-20260212171331616.htm
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