Hanoi is experiencing a boom in promotional programmes, with shops adopting increasingly bizarre sales advertising.

Attractive invitations

Firms are taking advantage of all the occasions offered to push their opening ceremonies, such as Vietnam Independence Day (September 2) and new school year to launch promotional activities.

Mrs Hai, a teacher in Cau Giay District said, “shops and firms seem to be getting carried away with their slogans, using terms such as “shocking sales” or “sales frenzy” in their advertising.”

Mr Truc in Dong Da District said he has seen this hyperbolic advertising throughout the capital and it made him more concerned about the long-term efficiency of the businesses rather than encouraging him to spend money.

Consumers seem more overwhelmed by the sales on offer, and many have expressed doubts about the quality of the products on sale, with shoddy good and expired consumables increasingly common.

Many owners are tricking customers by blaming the high inflation for prices while they benefit from subsidised prices.

Mrs Minh in Hai Ba Trung District said, “All customers like cheap products, but I’m cautious of buying discounted goods after being cheated by the promotional programmes. The products are similar to those sold in markets and even more expensive than those on sale normally. I understand that businesses never incur losses, it’s the customers.”

Massive sales activities in Hanoi include:

"Bring your exam scores in to buy laptops and get cash back, twice"

"Cheapest prices in Vietnam"

"Unprecedented" sales

"Shocking" sales

Seasonal discounts

Independence Day Promotions

Promotion to mark the shop’s birthday

Shop opening ceremony

New school year for students

Price subsidies to cover inflation

Giving away up to VND2.5 million

Various kinds of promotions