The market for offerings to the Kitchen God is abundant and prices are stable.

According to Vietnamese folklore, on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, the Kitchen Gods (Ông Công and Ông Táo) ascend to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the past year and prepare for the new year. Therefore, Vietnamese people have the custom of offering sacrifices on this day. The market for offerings to the Kitchen Gods is always bustling from early on, with customers flocking to shop.

Ms. Chu Thi Thanh, a resident of Hung Binh ward (Vinh City), said: “This year, because the twelfth lunar month is one day shorter, many people are offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God and the Stove God earlier. To avoid crowds, I went to the market early. The goods at the market are abundant, from food and vegetables to fruits, betel nuts, and votive offerings… everything is plentiful, and prices are slightly higher than usual.”

According to the survey, the prices of fresh fruits have increased slightly: custard apples 85,000 - 110,000 VND/kg, dragon fruit 50,000-60,000 VND/kg, cantaloupe 65,000-75,000 VND/kg, watermelon 25,000-30,000 VND/kg, Vinh oranges 50,000-60,000 VND/kg, Envy apples 150,000-180,000 VND/kg...

Red carp and votive paper offerings for the Kitchen God and Stove God are indispensable items during this occasion. Prices remain stable and have not increased compared to last year. Specifically, carp cost from 25,000 to 75,000 VND for 3 fish depending on size; a set of hats and shoes with votive paper offerings costs from 50,000 to 150,000 VND per set depending on the type.

The price of fresh flowers has increased these days, but not significantly compared to normal days. Specifically, the price of roses has risen from 5,000 VND/flower to 7,000-8,000 VND/flower, chrysanthemums from 4,000 VND/flower to 5,000 VND/flower, and lilies from 22,000 VND/flower to 25,000 VND/flower...

Regarding green vegetables, due to favorable weather conditions, prices are quite low. Specifically, kohlrabi costs 6,000 - 8,000 VND/piece, broccoli 12,000 - 15,000 VND/head, carrots 8,000 - 10,000 VND/kg, sweet cabbage from 14,000 VND/kg, bell peppers 30,000 VND/kg, cucumbers 15,000 VND/kg, radishes 8,000 VND/kg…

For fresh seafood items, prices have not increased compared to normal days, such as tiger prawns from 250,000-400,000 VND/kg, squid from 150,000-250,000 VND/kg, and mackerel from 260-280,000 VND/kg. Currently, pork prices are at 130,000-150,000 VND/kg depending on the type; beef prices are at 220,000-270,000 VND/kg depending on the type, and pork sausage is 220,000 VND/kg…

Regarding roosters, although demand spikes at the end of the year, prices have remained relatively stable this year, ranging from 110,000 to 120,000 VND/kg for roosters and lower for hens, around 90,000-100,000 VND/kg. Mr. Vuong Van Viet, a chicken trader from Do Luong, said: “Closer to Tet, chicken prices have hardly increased compared to normal days. Many farms raise a large number of roosters, so the supply is abundant.”

This year, the Kitchen God Festival falls in the middle of the week, so many people, mostly office workers, are choosing to order ready-made offerings for the ceremony. Ms. Nguyen Tra Giang, a supplier of offering trays on Phan Chu Trinh Street (Vinh City), said that customers placed orders sporadically from Sunday (the 20th day of the 12th lunar month) to Wednesday, the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. According to Ms. Giang, this year the price of a savory offering tray ranges from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 VND; sticky rice with chicken costs 450,000-500,000 VND, and the number of customers ordering trays has increased sharply.

Besides ordering elaborate feasts, many people choose to order individual dishes. As a result, shops selling ready-made food are busier these days. Shops selling sticky rice cakes, glutinous rice dumplings, pork sausage rolls, carp-shaped steamed buns, etc., are doing very well.

Not only have traditional markets seen a surge in purchasing power these days, but supermarkets have also experienced a significant increase of 20-30% compared to normal days, especially with stable prices and abundant, diverse goods.