Cost increase, low purchasing power at the market
Recorded on January 6, at major markets such as Tan Binh, An Dong, Binh Tay... the buying and selling atmosphere is still quiet. If in previous years, at this time, traders from provinces flocked to get goods to serve the peak season at the end of the year, making the market bustling all day, this year the buying and selling scene is quite cautious.
At Tan Binh market - where the wholesale clothing business is concentrated, most small traders sit and wait for customers, taking advantage of using phones. Only a few stalls are busy packing and preparing orders for the rare wholesale customers from other localities.
Ms. Bui Thi Thuong, a pants trader at Tan Binh market, said that purchasing power this year has decreased significantly. "Every year, around this time, customers from provinces call to order continuously, cars entering and leaving the market are constantly. This year it is sparse, many acquaintances report temporarily stopping taking goods because they are afraid of holding goods and not being able to sell," Ms. Thuong said.
According to small traders, land and electricity costs have not decreased and they are still confused when switching from fixed tax to declaration tax, while sharply reduced revenue makes business increasingly difficult.
Ms. Ung Thi Lien, a small trader at Binh Tay market, said that at this time she does not dare to import many goods but only takes them sparingly. According to her, this year the business situation is quite difficult because consumers tighten spending, causing purchasing power to decrease and sellers to be directly affected.
At food wholesale markets such as Binh Dien, Thu Duc, Hoc Mon, the prices of goods serving the 2026 Binh Ngo Tet are currently basically stable, no sudden price increases have been recorded for essential goods; the amount of goods brought to the market is abundant, meeting consumer demand well during the peak season at the end of the year.
Promoting market stabilization, ensuring supply
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Statistics Office, in 2025, the City has strengthened market management, promptly inspected and handled acts of trading in poor quality goods; at the same time, continuing to promote the effectiveness of the Price Stabilization Program with the participation of many businesses. The sources of goods supplied to the market are diverse, ensuring quality, diverse designs, and meeting the consumption needs of the people well.
Thanks to synchronous management solutions, the consumer price index (CPI) in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 was well controlled, increasing by 3.92% compared to 2024, lower than the inflation target set by the Government. This result reflects a stable macroeconomic environment, creating favorable conditions for production, business and consumption activities.
In the last months of the year, trade and service activities in the City are vibrant with many stimulus programs, centralized promotions, shopping fairs and cultural and tourism events, thereby contributing to promoting purchasing power in the market. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 maintained a fairly good growth momentum, up 16.3% compared to the same period last year and 2 percentage points higher than the third quarter, contributing to bringing the overall growth rate for the whole year 2025 estimated at 15.5%.
It is estimated that for the whole year 2025, the total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in Ho Chi Minh City reached 1,945,836 billion VND, an increase of 15.5% compared to 2024.
Based on the results of market management and price control achieved in 2025, Ho Chi Minh City continues to proactively develop a plan to supply goods for the upcoming Lunar New Year to ensure abundant supply, stable prices and meet the increasing shopping needs of people.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, the preparation of goods to serve the 2026 Binh Ngo Tet is the largest in many years, with a total reserve value of more than 26,000 billion VND. In which, the source of goods participating in the market stabilization program alone reached over 9,000 billion VND, playing a key role in maintaining price stability during the peak period at the end of the year.
Goods output is expected to increase by about 10-15% compared to the previous year. Items under the price stabilization program account for 25-40% market share, depending on each commodity group, and are committed to being sold at prices at least 5% lower than the market level. In particular, businesses participating in the program also commit to maintaining selling prices unchanged for two months before and after Tet.
