“Raking in the cash” from car wash services during Tet

In the days leading up to Tet, Mr. Long, the owner of a car wash shop in Le Loi Ward, Vinh City, and his staff are busy washing cars day and night for customers. He said that although he has recruited more staff and increased working hours, with the large number of cars, people hardly have time to rest.

Car wash services are in high demand during Tet with prices doubling on normal days. Photo: Quang An

Mr. Long shared: Since the 20th of Tet, the number of car wash customers has started to increase, on average I receive about 20 cars and 30 motorbikes per day. The peak is the last 3 days of the year, the shop's garage is almost full.

Not only in the city, car washes in the districts are also full of customers. Mr. Nguyen Van Trung, owner of a car wash shop in Dien Chau said: Since yesterday (29th of Tet), the number of customers has increased to a record level, I have to ask customers to sympathize and wait until noon or afternoon because the shop's parking lot has no more space, if they park on the street it is very dangerous. Every day I wash nearly 40 motorbikes of all kinds.

Motorbike washing prices are double the usual price but customers never run out. Photo: Quang An

Currently, the price of washing cars and motorbikes has increased significantly. Cars increased from 50,000 VND to 120,000 VND/vehicle depending on the number of seats. Motorbikes, which usually range from 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND/vehicle, have increased to 30,000 VND/vehicle these days.

Large trucks and passenger cars require more people and more effort, so the cost is very high, over 150,000 VND/car. Despite the high price, the shops are never empty of customers, on the contrary, they are increasingly overloaded due to the sudden increase in demand, everyone wants their vehicle to be clean for the spring trip.

With the number of cars and car wash prices increasing, many establishments are making a fortune from this service; car wash staff during Tet also have a huge income of 2 - 5 million VND/day.

On average, they wash about 30 motorbikes and more than 10 cars every day, with prices double the usual, helping car wash staff earn millions of dong every day. Photo: Quang An

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Nga in Hung Phuc ward, Vinh city said: During Tet, everyone has to visit relatives, wish a happy new year, prepare food... so there is no time to wash the car. Even though this service is more expensive, everyone needs it.

However, many customers are also concerned about the quality of car washes during Tet. Mr. Nguyen Van Quang, Dien Phuc (Dien Chau) said: With such a large number of cars, I am only worried that the staff will wash them carelessly to receive more customers, causing my car to not be washed properly, or even get scratched. This is also the common mentality of most customers when washing their cars during Tet.