With only nearly seven days left until the 2024 Lunar New Year (Tet), at many traditional markets and supermarkets across Da Nang, people’s purchasing power has increased significantly, causing the prices of some items to fluctuate slightly.

People shop for Tet at the Go! Da Nang. Photo: VAN HOANG

Many items have prices slightly increased

Surveys at a number of traditional markets in Da Nang such as Hoa Khanh, Hoa An, Con and Han markets, the prices of essential food items have increased slightly by 5-10% compared to about one week ago. Specifically, the price per kg of pork butt and shoulder is VND100,000, pork belly is VND130,000; beef VND260,000. Imported fruits such as apples, oranges, tangerines have had their prices climbed by about 20 - 30%.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Huong, a butcher at the Hoa Khanh market in Lien Chieu District, said that she stockpiles about 500kg of pork of all kinds/day and sells it all on the same day due to higher consumers’ shopping demands in preparation for Tet. Most customers come to buy pork belly and lean thighs, so the price has increased by about VND10,000/kg compared to the beginning of January, 2024.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu, a trader selling sausages at the Han Market in Hai Chau District also said that near Tet, the prices of ingredients and spices has increased, leading to a hike in the price of sausages. Meanwhile, the specialities and dried food groups serving as gifts recorded a slight increase of 5-15% from normal days.

At the Con Market, Ms. Nguyen Thi Cam, the owner of Hong Nga store also said that the prices of food items and specialties have increased during Tet due to increased consumption demand and transportation and warehousing costs. These items are highly popular with customers such as dried shelled shrimp and squid, and all kinds of marinated foods.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, the Deputy Director of Lien Chieu District Market Management Board, for about a week now, the number of visitors to the market has increased 1.5-2 times on weekdays and 4-5 times on weekends. Many food items have gone up slightly but not significantly.

The Management Board is coordinating with Dac Vinh Co., Ltd. to implement price stabilisation sales to serve the approaching the Lunar New Year 2024. Head of Con Market Management Board Phan Thanh Thoai also said that from January 24 and 25 until now, the number of visitors has risen slightly by 20-25% compared to normal days. The prices of the products remain stable, only increasing by VND1,000-2,000 VND/product for the group of regular rice and dry goods of all kinds.

Purchasing power increased but did not fluctuate as strongly as in previous years. It is expected that from December 24 and 25, the number of visitors to the market will increase sharply. The Management Board has implemented the work of directing price listing at 100% of the trading stalls at the market and coordinated with the Market Management Bureau and the Da Nang Food Safety Board to inspect, supervise and handle any violation on price, product and food safety, thereby ensuring the best shopping service for people.

To avoid waiting for a long time to pay, many people shop during the morning and noon hours. People are seen shopping for Tet at Go! Da Nang. Photo: VAN HOANG

Purchasing power at supermarkets increased sharply

Meanwhile, from the beginning of January 2024 until now, supermarkets in the city have seen very bustling and crowded, especially in the evening, with large numbers of shoppers. The stalls that attract the most customers are Tet candies (sold by kg), boxed cakes, dried foods, fresh foods and sausages.

Ms. Pham Binh, a resident from An Hai Bac Ward, Son Tra District, said: "As Tet goes around the corner, people's shopping needs are increasing, leading to widespread problems of counterfeit, counterfeit and poor-quality goods. Therefore, her family always prioritises shopping for goods at supermarkets for peace of mind about health assurance. The Tet atmosphere at the supermarket is very bustling, so people are also happy to shop. I feel very secure when choosing goods at supermarkets because of their origin and clearly listed prices, without having to worry about being ripped off. On this occasion, supermarkets are quite crowded so we had to wait about 15-20 minutes for our turns for payment.”. 

In a similar vein, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Phi, a resident from Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District) said that compared to traditional markets, supermarkets have many attractive promotions and discounts for customers. His family bought some goods in advance to avoid crowds of customers and long waits for payment in the days leading up to Tet. For fresh items such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, his family will shop during the week leading up to Tet. “Supermarket are offering many attractive discounts on many food and beverage items, so we came back to choose to buy. This year, the supermarket is still my family's top shopping priority.”, Mr. Phi said.

Although purchasing power in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year 2024 increases, businesses and supermarkets still keep prices stable, thus ensuring people's Tet shopping. Ms. Cao Thi Chin, the Acting Director of Go! Da Nang, sees purchasing power and number of visitors gradually increasing compared to previous weeks. It is forecasted that in the coming days, people's Tet shopping power will continue to go up. Mr. Phan Thong, the Director of Co.opmart Da Nang supermarket, said the number of customers coming to shop at the supermarket has climbed by about 5% over the same period.

19 stable sales points

The Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade informed that from February 6 to 8, in the city there will be 19 stable sales points for livestock and poultry products. Specifically, in Hai Chau District, there are 5 points at 407 Trung Nu Vuong, Han Market, Con Market, Dong Da Market and 36 Luong Nhu Hoc; Thanh Khe District with 4 locations at C.P Fresh Shop (139 Ky Dong), 262 Cu Chinh Lan, 178 Tran Cao Van and Phu Loc market; Ngu Hanh Son District with 2 locations at Bac My An and Non Nuoc markets; Son Tra District with two sale poins at Tho Quang Ward People’s Committee and C.P Fresh Shop at 33 Nguyen Duy Hieu; Lien Chieu District with sales points at Hoa Khanh and Nam O markets; Cam Le District with sites at Cam Le, Hoa Cam and Hoa An markets; Hoa Vang District with only one location at C.P Fresh Shop in Tuy Loan Market on Quang Xuong Street, Hoa Phong Commune.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - CHIEN THANG - Translating by A. THU, P. TRA