HCM CITY — With just three weeks to go for Tết (the Lunar New Year), the market for gift hampers has heated up with supermarkets, markets and shops offering a range of them to cater to both business and individual customers.

Saigon Co.op, which owns the Co.opmart supermarket chain, is offering more than 40 kinds at prices ranging from VNĐ99,000 (US$4.36) to VNĐ1.999 million ($88).

The hampers usually have confectionery, tea, coffee, cashew nut, jam, wine and beverages made by prestigious brands, both domestic and foreign.

From now until January 17, Co.opmart and Co.opXtra supermarkets nationwide will offer free delivery of gift baskets in provinces and cities where they have outlets.

Big C supermarket is selling more than 100,000 gift hampers of 17 different kinds at VNĐ79,000-1.5 million.

South Korean supermarket chain Lotte Mart also has many kinds of hampers based on various themes to cater to clients’ diverse tastes and demands.

Many shops at traditional markets like Tân Định, Thị Nghè and Bà Chiểu are also displaying various kinds of hampers.

Trần Thanh Lan, a trader at Thị Nghè Market, told Việt Nam News: “Apart from these already-wrapped hampers, customers want to buy gifts and my shop packs the gifts for them.”

Her shop also takes orders on the phone and delivers gifts, she said.

“Sales are expected to increase sharply from the middle of the lunar month.” Tết is on January 28.

Offers for Tết hampers are also inundating shopping websites these days, but buyers are advised vigilance when shopping on these sites.

Abundant supply

Nguyễn Huỳnh Trang, deputy director of the city Department of Industry and Trade, said his department has kept a close eye on prices by getting regular updates from the market.

Companies and distributors can meet the demand for goods during the nation’s biggest festival, supply is abundant and prices are under the closest supervision ever, she said.

There will be no shortage of goods or sudden price surges during Tết, while quality would be strictly controlled, she said.

A Big C spokesperson said the supermarket has enough stocks for Tết and they are 20-30 per cent higher than last year.

The supermarket has pledged not to increase prices between December 13 and January 27, except those of fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen foods, beers, milk and other dairy products.

Big C, Co.opmart, Lotte Mart and many other supermarkets have launched Tết promotions.

According to the department, the total value of goods to be stocked in HCM City during the one month to Tết (December 29 to January 27) will be VNĐ9.7 trillion ($427.3 million), with goods under the city’s price stabilisation programme accounting for VNĐ3.7 trillion.

The city administration has instructed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to intensify checks of food production and trading establishments as well as the transport of foods to the city to safeguard public health during the Lunar New Year.  — VNS