Markets, eateries relish Tet boom (22-01-2009) Seasonal shopping gives HCM City a holiday from the economic downturn. Consumers shop for seafood at a supermarket in HCM City's District 3.—VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Hai HCM CITY—Despite the economic slowdown, supermakerts and restaurants in HCM City are overcrowded as Tet (Lunar New Year) draws near. One of the city's largest supermarkets, the Maximark chain, including the Maximark Cong Hoa in Tan Binh District and the Maximark in District 10, has attracted more than 30,000 people a day this week. Maximark offers various processed food serving people from all three regions - the north, south and central Viet Nam. Dry foodstuff from agricultural products made in Bien Hoa, Nha Trang and Ben Tre also reportedly among the strongest sellers. The Big C chain, meanwhile, offers roasted chicken and suckling pigs at between VND59,000 to VND145,000 (US$8.5). Steamed glutinous rice cooked with green beans and red momordica in … [Read more...] about Markets, eateries relish Tet boom
Tet saigon
Warm Tet for poor workers
With an average income of between VND 1.5-1.8 million per month in 2009, workers who leave their homeland to work in Ho Chi Minh City will find it difficult to afford transport fees for returning home to enjoy Tet with their families if joint efforts are not made from agencies. Days before Tet, members from the fund to support the city workers are busy contacting agencies and enterprises to encourage subsidizing of transport fees for workers to return home for Tet. Saigon Giaiphong newspaper reported that 5,500 transport tickets supported by labour unions and labour employers from industrial and processing zones in the city and 500 tickets from the program "Tickets of gratitude" would allow many workers to go home for Tet. The City Federation of Labour gave presents to 5,500 disadvantaged workers worth VND 150,000-300,000 each. According to Tuoitre newspaper, before the Lunar New Year, the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labour has also given 4,126 transport tickets to workers who … [Read more...] about Warm Tet for poor workers
Consumer goods producers expect slight rise in Tet
Consumer goods producers expect slight rise in Tet Minh Tam By Minh Tam - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Major consumer goods producers have started delivering products made for the Lunar New Year to distributors though the biggest shopping-spree holiday is still two months and a half away. Most of them expect a slight rise of some 10% in sales at the traditional New Year known as Tet. The producers contacted by the Daily said they expect a rise in consumption this Tet, but the rise will not be high due to the current economic difficulty. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, communications director at the confectionery maker Bibica, told the Daily her company by now has delivered 30% of 1,250 tons of products being prepared for Tet. Her company’s products are now on display at 50,000 outlets nationwide. Compared to the previous Tet, the volume rises by some 5% while the revenue is expected to grow by 10% this Tet since the company’s higher-priced Goody cake is more favorite among … [Read more...] about Consumer goods producers expect slight rise in Tet
Railways prepare for heavy travel demand on Tet holiday
The Vietnam Railway Corporation is already preparing new locomotives and carriages and setting a special schedule for the Lunar New Year holidays to avoid chronic overloading seen in previous years. To satisfy the increasing travel demand of the upcoming Tet holidays, which will fall in early February 2005, the corporation has invested in building 56 new passenger carriages, 600 cargo carriages, and purchase 25 new locomotives. On the north-south route, there will be 24 trips a day before and after the holidays compared to the 10 trips during normal days. As usual, the railway sees an increased demand for traveling from south to north before Tet and in the opposite direction after Tet. … [Read more...] about Railways prepare for heavy travel demand on Tet holiday
Co.opMart to extend operational time before Tet
Co.opMart to extend operational time before Tet Saigon Co.op opens two new supermarkets By Quoc Hung - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Saigon Co.op said its Co.opMart supermarket chain would open one hour earlier and close an hour later than normal days during the peak time before Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday this year. In particular, the supermarkets will open until 11 pm from January 12-17, and until 12 am from January 18-20. Especially, 23 Co.opMart supermarkets in HCMC for the first time will open overnight from 7am on January 21 to 12pm the following day, the Lunar New Year Eve, to serve Tet shoppers. Owner of the Co.opMart chain estimated the purchasing power would surge in Tet holiday for both fresh food like meat, poultry, vegetable, fruit, and processed food like sausage, spring roll, and confectionery, along with other durable items. Therefore, Saigon Co.op has increased the stock of these commodities by four times against normal days. Saigon Co.op will also enhance … [Read more...] about Co.opMart to extend operational time before Tet