Nghe An people struggle to cope with 'escalating' prices

From July 1, civil servants, public employees, workers, and armed forces members will receive a 30% salary increase. However, up to this point, many people have not yet received their new salaries, and according to the instructions, they will officially receive them and receive the July salary back pay in August.

However, the prices of goods have been increasing day by day, causing the cost of living to increase. “In June alone, the family's living expenses increased by 25% compared to before. Of which, the cost of food increased by 30% as the prices of meat, fish, and vegetables all increased,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien Anh, a civil servant in Doi Cung ward (Vinh city).

According to the survey, in recent months, especially from the beginning of June until now, the prices of goods, especially food groups, have increased sharply. Specifically, in the traditional markets, the price of meat of all kinds increased by 10,000 - 20,000 VND/kg; green vegetables increased by 3,000 - 5,000 VND/kg, chicken eggs increased from 30,000 VND/dozen to 35,000 VND/dozen; duck eggs increased from 35,000 VND/dozen to 38,000 VND/dozen; and the price of all kinds of fruits also increased by 3,000 - 5,000 VND/kg.

Due to the increase in input materials, some services such as food and beverage have also started to adjust their prices. Each bowl of pho and vermicelli has increased by 3,000 - 5,000 VND; soft drinks have increased by 2,000 - 3,000 VND/cup...

It can be seen that the price of consumer goods increases for many reasons, but this increase causes many difficulties for workers. The salary adjustment mainly takes place in the public sector which is not large in the economy, less than 8% of the workforce, not to mention that public sector salaries are much lower than private sector salaries, so the price increase due to salary increase has a negative impact on people, forcing them to find ways to cope.

As the person who holds the "key" to spending for the whole family, Ms. Le Minh Hanh in Hung Hoa commune (Vinh city) turns on the mode to follow the fanpages of supermarkets and food stores and joins groups and groups to hunt for promotional and discounted products to save money.

“Large supermarkets often organize a variety of incentive programs at the point of sale, organize flat-price markets. Vegetables, tubers, fruits, meat, poultry... are sold at flat prices from only 7,000 VND or more according to the time frame; buy combos at bargain prices, hunt for shockingly priced items during golden hours... Therefore, it also saves quite a bit on expenses,” said Ms. Minh Hanh.

Many retailers, brands, and businesses, in the context of escalating prices, have launched sales programs, promotions, etc. to reach customers and gain market share.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuyen - Director of a company specializing in producing laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid in Nam Dan district said: "The product was launched at the beginning of this year and is on the way to reaching the market. Therefore, while famous brands increase prices, we advocate selling at no profit to create a competitive advantage. At the same time, we organize mobile sales points in markets and industrial parks, targeting people with average incomes."

Therefore, many people approach consumer goods of new brands and trademarks to both try them out and save money.

In addition, buying green vegetables and fruits in season also helps housewives save money. “Usually, vegetables and fruits that are out of season are expensive and scarce, so at this time, when I go to the market, I choose the group of green vegetables and fruits that are in the harvest season. That way, the price will be cheaper and easier to choose,” said Ms. Trinh Thi Hieu, a housewife.

In particular, currently, the Government and all levels and sectors are synchronously implementing fiscal solutions: Increasing bank interest rates to mobilize temporarily idle money, avoiding local price increases due to "spending" and pushing up demand from the market; Strengthening price control for each item, groups of items that the State sets prices or stabilizes prices such as electricity, water, gasoline, oil, public services, etc.;

Strengthen inspection and control. For goods, businesses must declare their own prices and take responsibility, and strictly handle violations. Therefore, it is expected that there will be no speculation, hoarding, "following the flow" or unreasonable price increases.