Hanoi shops see fewer costumers

Prices for Christmas decorations up by 20 - 30%

According to a survey by Dan Tri/ Dtinews, Hanoians are not spending as much on Christmas decorations this year. Local shops are seeing fewer costumers despite promotions and discounts.

Hang Ma Street, which has long been a well-known place for Christmas decorations, has a wide display of wares, but a lack of people to buy them.

The owner of a shop on Hang Ma, Ms. Ha, said that her sales volume has dropped by 20% compared to last year. “We have fewer costumers, and the things people want to buy are small and cheap” she says.

Other shops located on Ba Trieu, Tran Duy Hung or Doi Can streets are seeing a similar climate.

Hanoians are also being frugal when it comes to Christmas gifts, as well as services, such as entertainment and delivery.

Huong Lan, of Ba Dinh District, says that her income this year is sparse, so she would rather save the money to spend on the Tet holiday. “I've had to cut expenditures this year. Last year I spent VND2 million (USD100) on Christmas gifts for my children, including delivery charges. This year I will not be able to spend as much.

Mr.Minh, of Thanh Xuan District, commented that Christmas in Vietnam is a recent trend taken on mostly by young people. “Most of us are not Christian so the day is not so significant. I don't decorate my house, I just take my children out for a bit of fun.”

Small, cheap decorations become popular in HCM City

Small and cheap items dominate shops 

People in HCM City used to buy Christmas decorations a month in advance, but business seems to be slower this year, with customers opting for smaller and cheaper items.

Such streets as Hai Ba Trung, Vo Thi Sau and Pasteur have become busier in the last few days, with people rushing to buy last-minute Christmas items. But large items, such as Christmas trees or model Santa Clauses are not in such high demand as smaller trinkets.

The economic situation combined with a 5%-10% rise in prices of decorations has caused many families and even companies to reuse their decorations from last year.

Hoang Le Nhung, of D11, said that she is accustomed to buying Christmas trees, but this year has decided to use the same one she bought the year before. “I am just here to buy some tinsel and ornaments," she said.

Most customers are young

Mr. Trong, a sale assistant at a shop on Vo Thi Sau Street in D3, said that once he saw that people were buying smaller, his store catered to this demand. “Our customers are mainly young people and the most popular items are priced from VND 15,000-30,000 (USD 0.75-1.5), We don’t have to invest much for these, but they do not make much of a profit either.”