Over recent days, many local residents have found it very hard to buy certain food items at their displayed prices in some of the local markets.  In particular, the price per kg of best pork butt is displayed at between 100,000 and 110,000 VND, pork shoulder between 90,000 and 100,000 VND, beef from 200,000 to 250,000 VND, and cha bo (grilled beef pate) from 280,000 to 300,000 VND.  In reality, these items are being offered for sale at higher than their displayed prices and buyers have to bargain hard in order to avoid purchasing them at unfair prices.

At some local markets, flowers and fruit prices are now on an upward trend due to the sharp increase in demand for these products for rituals on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month. 

On Monday, flowers prices had increased by between 5% and 10% against last week.  In particular, the price of a bunch of gladioli was ranging between 30,000 and 55,000 VND, chrysanthemums between 20,000 and 35,000 VND, and lilies from 25,000 to 30,000 VND.