After the long Lunar New Year holiday break, many Da Nang residents returned to normal shopping again at the city’s markets on Monday (the 5^th day of the 1^st lunar month).  Contrary to their expectations, the markets had an abundance of goods being sold at reasonable prices.

The local Han, Con and Dong Da markets have plenty of vegetables and fruits, and their prices have decreased by between 2,000 and 3,000 VND since the days before the holiday.

Shoppers buying fruit at a local market

Between 21 and 23 February, there was an increased demand for fruits and offering items from local residents as they prepared ritual meals to say goodbye to the souls of their ancestors who had returned to their families to join them for the Tet celebrations.  However, fruit prices during the period remained stable, or increased marginally.

The prices of many kinds of fresh meat were also kept stable, or climbed by only between 5,000 VND  and 10,000 VND per kg.  On 23 February, the price per kg of pork butt was 100,000 VND, pork shoulder 90,000 VND, bacon 100,000 VND, pork chops 100,000 VND, and pork legs 80,000 VND.

However, the prices of beef and cha bo (grilled beef pate) remained high due to a sharp demand for these items over the festival period.  In particular, the price per kg of best beef was 350,000 VND, beef muscle 250,000 VND, best cha bo ranged between 280,000 and 300,000 VND, whilst cha heo (grilled pork pate) was from 150,000 to 180,000 VND.

The local supermarkets such as Coop.Mart and BigC are operating normally again.  During Tet, these stores had stockpiled sufficient goods to ensure supplies after the festival.