HCM City (VNA)𓃲 - As the Lunar New Year (Tet) approaches, decoration shops along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City such as Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Trai, Phung Hung are showcasing a plethora of Tet-themed products, boasting diverse designs.

This year, traditional Vietnamese Tet decorations dominate the majority of displayed items. Customers are taking notice of many new products, including the Tet couplets written on red paper affixed to bamboo sticks, and red-painted bamboo trays adorned with the calligraphy of Tet wishes. Particularly, owing to the Year of the Dragon, the zodiac symbol for this Tet, most decorative items feature images of dragons, both traditional and stylized. Compared to the previous year, the prices of Tet decoration products remain relatively stable. Nguyen Mai Nhi, a small merchant on District 5’s Hai Thuong Lan Ong street, said the number of customers during Tet doubles compared to normal days. However, this year, customer numbers are down by about 50% compared to the same period last year. She is considering offering further discounts on products closer to Tet and extending sales beyond the holiday to generate additional income. In contrast, stores and supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City are busier as customers actively go shopping there. Besides traditional markets, some consumers prioritise online shopping channels. Major e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and the Tik Tok Shop are rolling out various promotions along with policies and services to facilitate smoother shopping experiences. Lanterns, red winter cherry blossoms, decorative decals, and auspicious hanging scrolls are among the popular search keywords on these platforms. In addition to discounts, industry-specific promotions and live stream events, these platforms also offer specific features. These include free shipping, 5-7 day returns, easy order cancellation, QR code scanning for rewards, pre-delivery product inspection, customer consultation, and meticulous packaging./.