Vinh market is deserted on the eve of Tet

Originally the largest shopping center in the North Central region, but on the last days of the year, walking around Vinh market, reporters noted a rather deserted atmosphere, with few customers, so the idle traders just sat around surfing their phones; some traders worriedly predicted a sluggish Tet.

Tet is near, but the votive paper stalls at Vinh market are very empty. Photo: Diep Phuong

Having sold votive offerings at Vinh market for more than 20 years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh said: "This year the market is very quiet, unable to sell any goods. In particular, at this time in previous years, people shopping for offerings to Ong Cong and Ong Tao were bustling, jostling and unable to sell in time, but this year, there are only a few customers coming to the shop."

Anticipating the difficult market situation, this year most of the vendors in the Vinh market selling votive paper did not stock up on goods to sell for Tet. "We only import a few hundred sets of offerings for the Kitchen Gods, and we import them as they are sold because after Tet, no one will buy them anymore. If we don't sell them all, we will have to hold them for the whole year," Ms. Thanh, a vendor at the market, added.

Sharing the same sentiment with Ms. Thanh, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phat sighed in frustration: All year round, we only look forward to a few days of Tet to earn a little profit to make up for the many months of slow business in the year, but the market is deserted. If last year we could sell 100 sets of votive paper a day, this year we only sell around 20-30 sets. At the end of the year, all the money is accumulated, such as electricity bills, taxes, etc. If this situation continues, the capital will not be enough to say nothing of the profit.

A corner of Vinh market rice stall. Photo: Diep Phuong

Not only the votive paper stalls, many other items such as clothes, shoes, candy, etc. have also seen a significant decrease in the number of customers; consumption is very slow.

When asked about the situation of Tet sales, Ms. Ly Thi Hoan - a shoe seller at Vinh market shook her head: "On days like this, the profit from shoes is only enough to pay the booth rent. Compared to last year, this year's purchasing power has decreased significantly, mainly wholesale, not many retail customers; on average, the kiosk sells about 10 - 15 pairs/day".

Fabric and clothing items at Vinh market are sluggish. Photo: Diep Phuong

Explaining the reason for the most desolate and depressing scene ever at Vinh market near Tet, according to traders, the trend of pickup trucks going to districts, villages, and hamlets to unload goods is increasing.

In addition, on the market, Tet goods and clothes are sold everywhere with a dense system of stores plus online shopping with many incentives such as clearance sales and discounts, so the demand for shopping at the market has clearly decreased.