Raw material fluctuations have caused prices of many essential goods to escalate, and the business of small traders in Ho Chi Minh City has become more difficult than ever. In that context, many people still choose to "strain themselves" to keep prices, accepting reduced profits to retain regular customers. Attached to the small bun rieu restaurant on Le Van Sy street for more than 5 years, Ms. Cao Thuy Hanh (41 years old) said that recently has been the most difficult period since starting her business. The prices of main ingredients have all increased, not to mention the accompanying costs such as boxes, nylon bags, and spices have also increased.
“Previously, trading was profitable, but now it's only break-even, and losses are even heavier on days when goods are not sold out. Even so, I can't increase prices, I still keep the selling price at 30,000 VND/bowl" - Ms. Hanh said.
According to Ms. Hanh, in the context of reduced purchasing power, if prices increase, it is very easy to lose customers. To survive, she is forced to find ways such as opening sales on food applications, receiving orders to reduce transportation costs...
What worries many small traders is that despite efforts to maintain prices, purchasing power is still declining in the context of economic difficulties. At Tan Dinh market, many people are forced to switch to importing items with "softer" prices or actively reduce about 30% of the goods to avoid inventory.
Recently, the import price has increased by about 3,000-5,000 VND depending on the product, so I have imported less. With a slight increase, I try to keep the price, accepting little profit or even no profit. If it increases higher, I will notify in advance for customers to consider choosing. However, purchasing power has still decreased significantly," Ms. Huynh Thi Hien, a small trader, shared.
According to Mr. Nguyen Nguyen Phuong - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, in order to maintain market stability, the Department of Industry and Trade is advising the city to promote the Market Stabilization Program - a policy that has been clearly effective in maintaining stable prices for many years.
On that basis, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has issued a Plan to implement the Market Stabilization Program in 2026, lasting until Tet Dinh Mui 2027, with the goal of ensuring supply and demand balance, stabilizing prices and meeting people's consumption needs. The program focuses on many essential commodity groups such as food, foodstuffs, consumer goods and items for study. Notably, 11 key food-food commodity groups including rice, meat, eggs, vegetables, tubers, seafood... have specific outputs determined to proactively supply and limit price fluctuations.
