Goods are abundant, and customers are bustling with preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year).

People buy various kinds of sweets and snacks at Binh Tay Market, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, on the afternoon of January 21. Photo: THI HONG

The festive atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) has permeated markets and supermarkets...

Over the weekend, the number of locals and tourists flocking to markets, supermarkets, and shopping malls in Ho Chi Minh City continued to increase significantly compared to normal days. Among the items purchased were Tet jams, candies, dried fruits, and Tet gift baskets, which were particularly popular. This year, some supermarkets such as GO!, Satra, and MM Mega Market launched mini banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and affordable gift baskets to make them more accessible to customers.

On the afternoon of January 21st, An Dong Market (District 5) and Binh Tay Wholesale Market (District 6) were bustling with shoppers. The number of customers gradually increased in the early afternoon, surprising both buyers and sellers. Mr. Nguyen Van Giai, a customer at Binh Tay Market, said that confectionery and dried goods were quite popular, due to buyers needing them for the Lunar New Year's Eve (January 25th). Prices were quite reasonable, similar to previous years. At the stalls selling cakes, candies, and jams, the flow of customers was busier than usual. The urging and excited calls of customers choosing goods – some buying half a kilogram, others several kilograms – brought joy to the vendors in the days leading up to Tet.

“Currently, purchasing power is still low, and the quantity bought is not large, but it is still a positive sign. Hopefully, in a few days, purchasing power will improve,” said Ung Thi Kim Lien, a confectionery vendor at Binh Tay Market. Some vendors estimate that current purchasing power has increased by 5%-10% compared to normal days; however, selling prices remain stable compared to previous years. For example, wholesale prices for tamarind jam are 165,000-170,000 VND/kg, water chestnut jam 120,000-130,000 VND/kg, and large grapes 155,000-160,000 VND/kg. Custard apple jam, however, has increased in price by 30,000-40,000 VND/kg compared to the same period last year, reaching 165,000-170,000 VND/kg due to a shortage of raw materials…

Purchasing power at some supermarkets and shopping malls such as MM Mega Market, Gigamall, GO!, Co.opmart… has increased significantly, especially in the late afternoon and evening. Ms. Mai Lien, who shopped on the evening of January 20th at GO! Truong Chinh supermarket (Tan Phu district), reported having to wait in line for about half an hour before it was her turn to pay due to the large number of customers. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Director of Communications at Central Retail Vietnam (owner of GO!, BigC…), the number of Tet holiday shoppers is gradually increasing. To support consumers, Central Retail Vietnam is continuously implementing programs with good prices and many promotions on a wide variety of goods…

Increase the supply of price-stabilized goods to prevent localized shortages.

In the final days of the Lunar New Year, workers at Vietnam Livestock Industry Corporation (Vissan) are busy at the factory, ready to supply large quantities of Tet holiday goods to customers. According to Vissan, the production of processed food for this year's Tet season has increased by about 5% compared to last year. According to plan, the company will supply nearly 1,100 tons of fresh food and 3,800 tons of processed food, with a total value of over 540 billion VND.

Furthermore, the company also stockpiles 10%-20% of its goods to guard against shortages in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year. In addition, Ba Huân Company stated that it will significantly reduce the price of poultry eggs in the two days before Tet, and prior to that, it also increased its supply by approximately 10% compared to the Tet holiday of 2023.

To help stabilize prices, modern distribution channels in Ho Chi Minh City (48 shopping malls, 267 supermarkets, and over 3,000 convenience stores) have signed procurement contracts with suppliers, preparing abundant supplies at preferential prices to serve people during the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. Simultaneously, these businesses are also prepared to increase their inventory by 2-3 times compared to normal levels and extend operating hours (until late at night) to allow people ample time for their Tet shopping.

Ingredients for wrapping bánh chưng (Vietnamese rice cakes), such as dong leaves and banana leaves, are also widely sold by small traders on social media. Ms. Nguyen Nhung, residing in Gia Kiem ( Dong Nai province), said that customers from Ho Chi Minh City and some other provinces have already started ordering leaves and strings for tying and began deliveries from the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. Generally, the prices are quite reasonable, at 35,000-40,000 VND per pack of 100 medium-sized dong leaves; for larger ones, it's around 90,000 VND per pack. Banana leaves, on the other hand, are priced at only 40%-50% of dong leaves, depending on the type.

For items like vermicelli made from cassava starch and dried bamboo shoots transported from northern provinces to Ho Chi Minh City, prices have increased by 5%-10% depending on the item, reaching 100,000-110,000 VND/kg for vermicelli and 310,000-320,000 VND/kg for Cao Bang bamboo shoots… “The amount of goods imported to the warehouse is not much, only 30%-40% compared to the same period last year. Customers are considering their purchases carefully and not spending as lavishly as in previous years,” said Ms. Vuong Lieu, a dried goods businesswoman in District 10.

According to information from wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City, vegetables, fruits, and other goods for Tet (Lunar New Year) are quite abundant, prices are stable, and there is no price gouging. The amount of agricultural products supplied to the Ho Chi Minh City market through the three wholesale markets (Binh Dien, Hoc Mon, and Thu Duc) reaches approximately 7,600 tons per day, including 800 tons of livestock and poultry meat; 1,200 tons of seafood; and 5,600 tons of vegetables and fruits.

It is expected that, one week before Tet (Lunar New Year), the amount of pork imported to the market will increase by about 80% compared to normal days, reaching 13,000 - 15,000 tons/day. Currently, the price of pork cuts at Hoc Mon wholesale market ranges from 67,000-70,000 VND/kg, pork ribs 130,000 VND/kg, pork loin nearly 70,000 VND/kg, and boneless pork belly 110,000 VND/kg. However, the price of pork at retail and traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City will be higher than at wholesale markets by 15,000-40,000 VND/kg depending on the type of pork due to transportation costs… This price level is considered quite stable by traders.

According to Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, the "framework" market stabilization program (planned more than six months ago) does not adjust prices. In addition, the city's business community is always supportive, sharing the best prices with consumers, which is a positive sign to ensure stable prices during this Tet holiday season.

“The industry and trade sector is striving to prevent shortages and price increases during the Tet holiday; at the same time, it is coordinating with districts, Thu Duc City, and the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department to closely monitor prices, price listing status, and the origin of goods; avoiding the mixing of substandard goods and price gouging of essential goods before, during, and after the 2024 Lunar New Year,” Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu affirmed.

Spring is fast approaching, consumer spending is gradually increasing, and things are improving step by step, promising a warm and joyful Lunar New Year of the Dragon.

Overseas Vietnamese celebrate the Lunar New Year in significant numbers.

On the afternoon of January 21st, travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City such as Saigontourist , Vietravel, and Vietluxtour observed a significant increase in the number of overseas Vietnamese returning home to celebrate the Lunar New Year compared to previous years. Most were interested in experiences such as enjoying traditional Tet customs, visiting flower villages, and exploring famous scenic spots across the country.

According to Saigontourist Travel, the number of overseas Vietnamese registering for Tet tours reaches 60%-80%. Vietravel Travel Company is offering many incentives for family groups and tour groups. Among these, tours involving experiences like making banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), visiting flower villages (in the Mekong Delta), shopping for Tet specialties, and enjoying traditional cultural and artistic performances are particularly popular.

THI HONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hang-hoa-doi-dao-khach-ron-rang-sam-tet-post723739.html