Food prices soar during Tet holiday

The days immediately following the Lunar New Year saw prices of food and foodstuff rise sharply in major cities compared to the pre-Tet period, causing difficulties for many households.

People buy seafood at Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: SGGP)

In Hanoi, prices of meat, fish, poultry and vegetables in Buoi, Quang An and Nhat Tan markets were much higher, with beef going by VND30,000 per kilo to VND180,000, while vegetable prices were doubled.

Many staple dishes like noodles soups were also much more expensive during the Tet holiday. A bowl of noodles with crab chowder doubled to VND25,000-30,000 and while a bowl of noodle soup with beef rose to VND30,000-40,000.

Shop owners said the reasons for the high prices were increased demand and limited supply.

Holiday prices where also charged for services like parking and basic repairs like flat tyres. Motorbike parking during the holidays was priced at between VND5,000 – 10,000 per motorbike, and even went up to VND20,000 per bike. Car parking was also more expensive at VND50,000 per vehicle.

In Ho Chi Minh City, many supermarkets previously opened on the 2nd or 3rd day of the Lunar New Year, but this they deferred it to the fourth day of Tet, Wednesday, February 17 (4th of Tet) or later.

Inside the markets, there were very few shops open.

The Big C supermarket was an exception, opening on February 16 with big promotions to attract customers at the beginning of the lunar New Year.

However, the price of some goods such as vegetables, fruits and seafood were still high, because not many markets were open.

At the Van Thanh market in Binh Thach district, a kilo of bitter melon was selling at VND15,000 per kg, other vegetables at VND30,000 per kg, and fish at VND40,000-50,000 per kg.

VietNamNet/SGGP

Tags: Tet holiday, Vietnam food prices