In contrast to previous years, many stalls in Da Nang's markets have not yet re-opened due to a dramatic decrease in purchases by local residents after the Tet Festival.

In previous years, the Hoa Khanh market has always been crowded with buyers after Tet, especially workers, students and pupils.  However, this year only a few stalls have re-opened as yet, even though Tet was more than a week ago. 

Some of the major inner-city markets, like Con, Han and Dong Da, have yet to see the bustling shopping atmosphere of previous years.  The majority of sales in these markets have taken place early in the morning, and most are purchases of essential items such as food.

A vegetable stall at a local market

The best-selling items at the moment are those which are used for rituals in the early days of the lunar year, and these are being sold at quite reasonable prices.  These goods include chicken, pork, beef, flowers, incense, candles and other votive objects. 

At the Con Market, the price per kg of pork butt is only 100,000 VND, chicken 120,000 VND, best beef 250,000 VND, frog 80,000 VND, and snakehead fish 65,000 VND, whilst shrimps are ranging from between 130,000 and 150,000 VND.

According to the Management Board of the Hoa Cuong wholesale market, the volume of vegetables and fruit coming from suppliers inside and outside the city has dropped by 30% compared with the same period last year.  Purchases of these goods by local residents have declined dramatically.

For example, on 10 and 11 February, the total volume of fruit transported to this market was only around 135 tonnes.  In addition, the volume of vegetables from southern and northern regions was only up to 159 tonnes, whilst that from local rural areas was 2 or 3 tonnes.

Also at the Hoa Cuong market, a wide range of products are being sold at prices lower than normal.  For example, the wholesale price per kg of best oranges is now only 27,000 VND, carrots from Da Lat 8,000 VND, and potatoes 14,000 VND. 

Thanks to the great efforts of the local Department of Industry and Trade, the city saw an abundance of Tet goods to meet the increased shopping demands of local residents during the festival.  Also, the prices of local essential goods stayed relatively stable before, during and after Tet.

Sales are expected to pick up again in the near future thanks to the numerous festivals being held in the city, which will attract local distributors and retailers.