Tet atmosphere "floods" into markets, supermarkets...
It is noted that on the two weekends, the number of people and tourists flocking to markets, supermarkets, and shopping malls in Ho Chi Minh City continued to increase significantly compared to normal days. In particular, Tet jams, candies, dried fruits, Tet gift baskets, etc. are of interest and are purchased a lot. This year, some supermarkets such as GO!, Satra, MM Mega Market, etc. have launched mini banh chung, along with affordable gift baskets to help customers easily access them.
At noon on January 21, customers at An Dong market (District 5) and Binh Tay wholesale market (District 6) were bustling. In the early afternoon, the number of customers gradually increased, which surprised both buyers and sellers. Mr. Nguyen Van Giai, a customer at Binh Tay market, said that cakes, candies, and dried foods of all kinds were quite popular, because buyers wanted to worship on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month (January 25). The prices were quite reasonable, similar to previous years. At the cake, candy, and jam stalls, customers were bustling more than usual. The customers' urging and calling to choose their products, some bought half a kilo, some bought several kilos of jam, cakes, candies, etc., helped traders have more joy in the days near Tet.
“At this time, sales are still low, the number of purchases is not much, but it is also a good sign. Hopefully, sales will be better in a few days,” said Ung Thi Kim Lien, a trader specializing in confectionery at Binh Tay market. Some traders estimate that current sales have increased by 5%-10% compared to normal days, however, the selling price is still stable compared to previous years. For example, the wholesale price for tamarind jam is 165,000-170,000 VND/kg, water chestnuts are 120,000-130,000 VND/kg, large grapes are 155,000-160,000 VND/kg. Custard apple jam alone has increased in price by 30,000-40,000 VND/kg compared to the same period, at 165,000-170,000 VND/kg due to the scarcity of raw materials...
Purchasing power at some supermarkets and shopping malls such as MM Mega Market, Gigamall, GO!, Co.opmart... increased significantly, especially in the evening. Ms. Mai Lien, who bought goods on the evening of January 20 at GO! Truong Chinh supermarket (Tan Phu district), reported that she had to wait in line for about half an hour to pay because there were too many customers. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Communications Director of Central Retail Vietnam Group (owner of GO!, BigC...), the number of customers shopping for Tet is gradually increasing. To support consumers, Central Retail Vietnam continuously implements good price programs, many incentives with a variety of products...
Increase the supply of stabilized goods to avoid local shortages.
In the last days of the lunar year, workers of Vietnam Livestock Industry Corporation (Vissan) are busy working at the factory, ready to supply large quantities of Tet goods to customers. According to information from Vissan, the output of processed food for Tet this year increased by about 5% compared to last year. According to the plan, the company will supply nearly 1,100 tons of fresh food, 3,800 tons of processed food with a total value of goods of more than 540 billion VND.
In addition, the company also reserves 10% - 20% of its output to prevent shortages during the days before Tet. In addition, Ba Huan Company said that it will deeply reduce the price of poultry eggs in the 2 days before Tet and before that, this unit also increased the quantity of goods by about 10% compared to Tet Quy Mao 2023.
Contributing to stabilizing selling prices, modern distribution channels in Ho Chi Minh City (48 shopping malls, 267 supermarkets, more than 3,000 convenience stores) have signed purchasing contracts with suppliers, preparing abundant sources of goods at preferential prices to serve people during the Tet holiday. At the same time, units are also ready to increase the quantity of goods 2-3 times compared to normal; extend sales hours (until late at night) so that people can comfortably shop for Tet.
As for the materials for wrapping cakes, such as dong leaves and banana leaves, they are also widely advertised by small traders on social networks. Ms. Nguyen Nhung, residing in Gia Kiem (Dong Nai), said that customers in Ho Chi Minh City and some provinces have started ordering leaves and strings and started delivering from December 23. In general, the selling price is quite reasonable, at 35,000-40,000 VND/pack of 100 medium dong leaves; for large ones, it is about 90,000 VND/pack. As for banana leaves, the price is only 40%-50% compared to dong leaves, depending on the type.
For vermicelli and dried bamboo shoots transported from the northern provinces to Ho Chi Minh City, prices have increased by 5%-10% depending on the item, at 100,000-110,000 VND/kg of vermicelli, 310,000-320,000 VND/kg of Cao Bang bamboo shoots... "There are not many imported goods in the warehouse, only 30%-40% compared to the same period last year. Customers are considering carefully and not spending lavishly like in previous years," said Ms. Vuong Lieu, a dried goods trader in District 10.
According to information from wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City, vegetables, fruits, etc. for Tet are quite abundant, prices are stable, there is no "price jump" situation... The amount of agricultural products supplied to the Ho Chi Minh City market through 3 wholesale markets (Binh Dien, Hoc Mon, Thu Duc) is about 7,600 tons/day, including 800 tons of livestock and poultry meat; 1,200 tons of seafood; 5,600 tons of vegetables and fruits.
It is expected that one week before Tet, the amount of goods imported to the market will increase by about 80% compared to normal days, up to 13,000 - 15,000 tons/day. Currently, the price of pork at Hoc Mon wholesale market is from 67,000 - 70,000 VND/kg, spare ribs 130,000 VND/kg, pork chops nearly 70,000 VND/kg, and pork belly without ribs 110,000 VND/kg. However, the price of pork at retail markets and traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City will be higher than at wholesale markets from 15,000 - 40,000 VND/kg of pork depending on the type due to transportation costs... This price is considered quite stable by small traders.
According to Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, the "framework" market stabilization program (planned more than half a year ago) does not adjust prices. In addition, the city's business community always accompanies and shares the best selling prices with consumers, which is a good signal to ensure stable selling prices during this Tet season.
“The industry and trade sector strives to prevent shortages and price increases during the Tet holiday; at the same time, coordinate with districts, Thu Duc City, and the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department to closely monitor prices, price listings, origin of goods, and avoid the mixing of poor quality goods and price inflation of essential goods before, during, and after the 2024 Lunar New Year,” affirmed Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu.
Spring is coming very soon, purchasing power is gradually increasing, promising a warm and joyful Tet Giap Thin season.
Overseas Vietnamese enjoy spring and celebrate Lunar New Year on the rise
On the afternoon of January 21, travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City such as Saigontourist, Vietravel, Vietluxtour, etc. recorded that the number of overseas Vietnamese returning home to celebrate the Lunar New Year has increased sharply compared to previous years. Most of them are interested in experiences such as enjoying traditional Tet, visiting flower villages, and visiting famous scenic spots of the country, etc.
According to Saigontourist Travel, the number of overseas Vietnamese registering for tours is up to 60%-80% of Tet tours. With Vietravel Tourism Company, the business is offering many incentives for family groups, group guests... In particular, tours to experience making Chung cake, Tet cake, walking around flower villages (Mekong Delta region), shopping for Tet specialties, enjoying traditional cultural and artistic performances are loved by customers.
THI HONG
Source
Comment (0)