Services capitalizing on the demand at the beginning of the Lunar New Year are booming.

The profession of "preserving Tet" for ornamental plants.

After the Lunar New Year, flower and ornamental plant growers in Nghe An are busy again. Dozens of potted peach blossom trees are gathered, waiting to be transplanted, pruned, and nurtured for the next Tet season.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Chau, the owner of an ornamental plant garden in Kim Phuc flower village, Vinh Phu ward, said: After Tet, his family had to hire 2-3 additional seasonal workers to keep up with customer orders. Some plants are worth several million dong, while others can cost tens of millions of dong, so the owner has to be very careful in caring for them.

According to Mr. Chau, the service is divided into two forms: home care or taking the plants to the nursery for year-round care. For families with ample space, the nursery will send someone to prune and fertilize regularly, with the cost calculated per service. If customers are unable to care for the plants themselves, the nursery offers a complete package, from digging up the plants, transporting them, replanting them, to shaping the canopy and ensuring they bloom in time for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

In Vinh Hung ward, Mr. Tran Minh Hung, the owner of a garden, said that this year the number of customers sending their plants for care has increased compared to last year. "Many families want to keep the plants they've bought because they're used to the shape and it suits their space. Buying new plants every year is both expensive and makes it difficult to find a plant they like. Sending them for care helps save a significant amount of money," Mr. Hung explained.

Mr. Pham Quoc Bao, residing in Thanh Vinh ward, recently returned a bonsai peach tree he bought for nearly 20 million VND during the recent Tet holiday. “My family lacks the technical expertise to ensure the tree blooms at the right time. If we keep it at home, the shape could be ruined, or the tree could even die. Sending it to a nursery for care, costing around 2 million VND per year, is still cheaper than buying a new tree,” Mr. Bao shared.

According to the gardeners, the peak period for receiving seedlings lasts until the end of January. After that, the main work is to nurture the roots, shape the canopy, and monitor growth, ensuring the trees are strong enough to bud at the end of the year.

Car rental for spring trips: Prices increase but bookings are still full.

After the Lunar New Year, the increased demand for spring outings, visiting relatives, and going to temples has led to a surge in self-drive and chauffeur-driven car rental services in central wards like Thanh Vinh and Truong Vinh.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, the owner of a car rental business in Thanh Vinh ward, from the 4th day of Tet until the 15th day of the lunar month, most 5-7 seater cars have been booked in advance. "Rental prices have increased by about 20-30% compared to normal days, but they are still fully booked due to high demand," Mr. Lam said.

According to the survey, small 4-5 seater cars cost around 600,000-800,000 VND/day; mid-range sedans and crossovers range from 800,000 to over 1 million VND/day; 7-seater cars or large SUVs can cost over 1.2 million VND/day. Discounts are often offered for long-term rentals.

Ms. Vu Thi Mai, originally from Minh Chau commune and currently working in the Central Highlands, said that her family rented a 7-seater car for 8 days to make it easier to go to the New Year's festival and visit relatives. "Since we're traveling with a large group, including elderly people and young children, renting a private car allows us to be more flexible with our time, and the cost is still reasonable," Ms. Mai said.

Despite a significant increase in rental demand, car rental businesses are being more cautious this year in drafting contracts to avoid legal risks related to traffic violations. In addition to requiring deposits, complete identification documents, and valid driver's licenses, businesses are now adding clear binding clauses. Customers must commit to taking full responsibility for paying fines if they violate traffic laws during their rental period, minimizing potential disputes.

Offerings and lucky items attract customers.

Alongside landscaping services and spring travel car rentals, the market for religious offerings, ceremonial items, and feng shui products is also entering its busiest season of the year. The increased demand for spring pilgrimages, offering incense for peace, and celebrating the full moon of the first lunar month keeps stalls selling incense, flowers, votive paper, ceremonial trays, and feng shui items constantly bustling with activity.

Observations at Co Am Pagoda in Minh Chau commune and Ong Hoang Muoi Temple in Hung Nguyen commune show a large number of locals and tourists flocking to offer incense and sightsee in the days following Tet. From early morning, the areas around the temple gates and entrances were bustling with buyers and sellers. Stalls displayed a variety of offerings: from incense, candles, fresh flowers, fruits, and sweets to ready-made vegetarian offerings, all at prices to suit different needs.

Many businesses report that the peak season usually lasts from the 6th day of the first lunar month until the 15th day of the lunar month. Besides traditional offerings, feng shui products such as stone bracelets, animal statues, Buddha pendants, and Pixiu (mythical creature) figurines are also selling well.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, a small business owner selling ceremonial items for over 15 years, said: "Prepared ceremonial trays range in price from a few hundred thousand to over one million dong depending on the components. In addition, beautifully shaped fruits and high-end fresh flowers are also selling well. Many people believe that buying a feng shui item at the beginning of the year brings peace and prosperity. Products such as quartz crystal bracelets, jade bracelets, and small, compact animal figurines are popular choices because they are reasonably priced."

According to observations, in addition to spiritual factors, consumers also prioritize the origin and quality of products. Some stores have proactively listed prices and committed to clear product origins to build trust with customers.

In reality, after the Lunar New Year, many types of services enter a new "golden season," reflecting the diverse needs of people in modern life. After the festive days of family reunion, post-Tet services not only bring significant income to those in the profession but also meet the legitimate needs of people in preserving traditional customs and wishing for a prosperous and successful new year.