Lunar New Year goods in mountainous regions are selling slowly.

At this time of year, in the high mountainous and border areas of Que Phong district, it's easy to spot trucks belonging to small traders loaded with goods, food, and supplies brought from the lowlands to deliver to dealers and kiosks for the local people to buy for Tet (Lunar New Year).

Tet holiday goods are transported by vendors from the lowlands to Phu Phuong market town, Que Phong district. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Duan, the owner of a grocery truck in Thai Hoa town, who is supplying goods to small traders in Que Phong district, said that his truck can carry 5 tons of various goods, usually delivering to dealers in the communes of Tri Le, Chau Thon, Chau Kim, etc., and the entire load is sold out within two days. He expects to supply about 30 tons of goods to Que Phong district between now and the Lunar New Year.

According to Mr. Duan, this year the amount of goods imported by small traders for sale is less than in previous years. Most items have maintained their prices, with only a few items like beer, instant noodles, and energy drinks seeing a slight increase.

However, sales have been much slower compared to previous years.

People of various ethnic groups in Que Phong district buy clothes at mobile stalls along the road. Photo: Quang An.

At Quy Chau market, although the goods are quite abundant, the number of shoppers is very low. Ms. Que, who sells clothes in the market area, said: "Sales are slow, so I don't dare to import too much merchandise..."

Ms. Ngoc, who sells various types of rice and groceries, added that because of the low number of customers at the market, her stock for Tet (Lunar New Year) has decreased compared to last year. Last year she stocked 5 tons of rice, but this year she only stocked 3 tons, and glutinous rice of all types remained at the same price, while regular rice increased by 200-400 VND/kg.

Mobile vending stalls like these are quite common in villages and hamlets in mountainous regions. Photo: Xuan Hoang

Mr. Sam Ba Tuan, Head of the Economic and Infrastructure Department of Que Phong District, said: By the 16th day of the 12th lunar month, all six trading points in the district – Tri Le, Chau Thon, Kim Son town, Phong Phu market town, and Thong Thu commune center – had sufficient goods to serve people's Tet shopping. The price increase for some items was due to rising input costs, not because the vendors themselves raised prices.

Ms. Ngoc, a rice vendor at Quy Chau market, said that glutinous rice prices remained stable this Tet holiday, while regular rice prices increased slightly. Photo: Quang An