With only about 20 days left until the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) 2025 holidays, at many markets and supermarkets across Da Nang, people’s purchasing power increases every day, leading to fluctuations in the prices of some goods.

People shop for Tet food at Go! Da Nang supermarket. Photo: MAI LY

Purchasing mower at markets and supermarkets go up

It is noted that confectionery, dried and fresh foods, and gift baskets serving the Tet market have been on shelves since December 2024. The number of customers visiting and shopping at supermarkets is more crowded, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tien, a shopper from Hoa Tho Dong Ward, Cam Le District went to the supermarket to buy candy, jelly, sunflower seeds to treat guests during Tet. These products are now offered at reasonable prices and a variety of designs for customers to choose from.

“Last year, I bought candy and cakes just several days before Tet, when I went to the supermarket, many products were out of stock, so this year I learned from my experience and bought them as early as possible.”, said Ms. Tien. Stores and supermarkets also sell Tet gift baskets in many segments, from popular to high-end, ranging from VND 200,000 to millions of VND.

Most customers choose traditional gift baskets with products such as wine, candy, tea, coffee, nuts, jams, and designed according to customers' needs. Mr. Phan Thong, the Director of Coopmart Da Nang supermarket, said that many units and businesses usually order Tet gift baskets for their employees and partners. It is predicted that this year's purchasing power at supermarkets will increase by about 10% compared to the same period last year.

At traditional markets, many Tet products are also sold with a variety of types and designs. According to Ms. Ngo Thi Huyen Tran, a trader at Huyen Tran confectionery stall, Hoa Khanh Market, Lien Chieu District), this year's goods are more abundant than in previous years. Besides company goods, there are also many locally produced products, OCOP (One Commune - One Product) items such as sesame crackers and grilled coconut cakes.

Since the beginning of December, her stall has started displaying Tet confectionery items for sale, and customers prefer chocolate candies and jelly. Purchasing power at the market has started to increase, and the number of customers visiting the stall to buy confectionery has increased by 20% compared to last month.

Besides food and confectionery items, fashion stores have also attracted a large number of customers, with revenue increasing sharply. Shop owners have prepared a variety of goods, continuously importing many new models to satisfy their customers’ demand.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen from Thanh Khe Tay Ward, Thanh Khe District took the opportunity to go shopping for Tet clothes for her children to find beautiful designs and suitable sizes. “If you buy late, many beautiful clothes are not available in your child's size”, said Tuyen.

At the Hoa Khanh market, an area with a large concentration of students and workers, the number of visitors to the market increases every day.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, the Deputy Manager of Lien Chieu District Markets, purchasing power at the Hoa Khanh market has increased by about 10 - 20% in recent days due to the high demand for shopping near Tet.

To ensure the best service for shoppers, the market management board has continuously reminded traders to sell their products at the displayed price according to regulations and do not trade in fake, counterfeit, or poor quality goods.

The market management board has also coordinated with the Market Management Bureau and the Da Nang Food Safety Board to inspect, monitor, and handle violations of prices, products, and food safety.

The number of customers coming to the Hoa Khanh market, Lien Chieu District to buy Tet candies increases every day. Photo: MAI LY

Prices of many items fluctuate

In addition to processed products, many housewives now make their own jams, pickled onions, dried pork and beef to celebrate Tet. However, the prices of raw materials used to make these products have gone up.

Ms. Luu Thi My Dung, the owner of a coconut stall at the Dong Da market, said that the price of raw coconuts has increased up in recent months, from VND15,000 - VND16,000 each last year to VND 27,000 at the present.

According to Ms. Dung, many coconuts are exported abroad, leading to a decrease in the amount of coconuts in Viet Nam, so the prices of all types of coconuts have soared. The price of young coconuts used to make jam has increased and this type of coconut cannot be preserved for long, so she imports less.

Currently, the price of coconut in the markets is from VND25,000 - VND30,000 /each; shredded coconut VND60,000/kg, processed young coconut in whole pieces from VND70,000 - VND100,000/kg; ginger root for making jam imported from the South about VND25,000 - VND35,000/kg, locally-grown ginger from VND35,000 - VND50,000/kg.

Mr. Pham Cong Minh, the owner of the Tai Thoi spice stall, the Con market said that the price of ginger is expected to increase by VND5,000/kg in the next few days due to high demand from people whilst farmers do not harvest much near Tet and transportation costs also increase.

In addition, the price of ‘cu kieu’ (pickled scallion heads) has also increased sharply in the context of heavy rain, the pickled onions are flooded and damaged. Last year, the price of pickled shallots was VND28,00/kg, now it has soared up to 47,000 VND/kg. After being imported, the scallion heads are processed, the roots are cut off and the thin skin is peeled off, and they will be sold for 110,000-120,000 VND/kg.

Similarly, the price of pork has increased from VND10,000 - VND20,000 /kg compared to about a week ago. Specifically, pork belly costs from VND140,000 - VND160,000/kg; baby back ribs VND160,000 - VND170,000/kg; lean shoulder meat, pork butt VND110,000 - VND120,000/kg.

Prices of many types of seafood have also increased slightly, with fresh shrimp and squid climbing by about VND10,000 - VND20,000/kg (squid ranges from VND280,000 - VND300,000/kg). According to Ms. Phan Thi Sau, a seafood vendor at the An Hai Bac market, Son Tra District, seafood prices change every day depending on the fishermen’s harvest and prices usually increase near Tet.

Customers can buy fresh fish early at cheap prices and then store it in the freezer for consumption during Tet. Meanwhile, some other foods are quite stable such as good quality beef priced at VND250,000/kg, 10 chicken eggs at VND25,000 - VND30,000.

However, according to many retailers, about 5-10 days before Tet, most essential food items will increase in price compared to normal days.

Reporting by MAI LY - Translating by A.THU