Ho Chi Minh City Tet goods market: People prioritize choosing goods with green ticks

Safe products rise in Tet gift baskets

Near the 2026 Lunar New Year, the shopping atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City is starting to become bustling. In many supermarkets and shopping centers, shelves have been rearranged to prioritize Tet goods, gift baskets, fresh food and essential goods. The supply is abundant, diverse in types, meeting the increasing shopping needs of the people.

A noteworthy point this year is that many retail systems have put products that achieve "Responsibility Green Stick" into Tet gift baskets and main display areas. These items are prioritized for beautiful locations, accompanied by communication right at the point of sale and promotional programs to increase recognition, and at the same time contribute to spreading the habit of safe and responsible consumption.

Ms. Pham Thanh Binh (An Khanh ward) shared: "Previously, I mainly looked at prices and designs, now I feel more secure with the green Tick mark. Buying gifts for relatives also feels less worried about quality because there is a clear traceability code.

According to assessments by businesses, "Responsibility Green Choice" is a long-term program, but the participation process is not simple, especially in the context of increasing production and operation costs.

Mr. Vo Hoang Anh, Director of Brand Development of Saigon Co.op, said that Green Ticks are first deployed in the group of vegetables, tubers, and fruits - a sensitive product group that directly affects consumer health. However, it is also in this industry group that cost pressure is most clearly shown.

Mr. Hoang Anh analyzed: "When businesses follow the correct procedures, fully comply with quality standards and commitment to responsibility, operating costs will definitely be higher. What makes manufacturers wonder is how to make consumers recognize that difference and be willing to pay a corresponding price.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, there are currently 12 modern distribution and retail systems participating in the Green Tick program, with nearly 400 suppliers and more than 4,000 standard goods. During the Tet peak, Ho Chi Minh City launched "Responsibility Green Tick Month", focusing on prioritizing Tet goods, and at the same time strengthening quality inspection and supervision. Violating units will be strictly handled and removed from the program.

Blocking poor quality goods during Tet

According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Hung, Deputy Head of Trade Management Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, "Responsibility Green Label" is not simply a certification label, but a change in the method of quality control of goods. Instead of just relying on input dossiers, the program focuses on actual supervision activities that are carried out continuously daily and weekly at retail systems.

According to Mr. Minh Hung, when participating in the program, the entire production chain from raw materials, processing to distribution must be jointly responsible. Product quality is no longer assessed mainly on paper but is directly controlled on each product - this is the core difference compared to traditional inspection mechanisms.

Currently, Green Tick is being deployed with fresh goods groups at 12 retail systems. However, in the face of market developments and strong increase in consumer demand during Tet, the Department of Industry and Trade said it will gradually expand the program to processed and packaged food groups to fill management gaps. This is a group of goods with a wide circulation range and potential for great risks if quality incidents occur.

Although it is a voluntary program, we identify this as a measure of transparency. Suppliers who do not dare to commit to taking responsibility to the end will find it difficult to continue to be selected. Expanding the program will minimize the risk of poor quality products falling on the market, better protecting the rights of consumers" - Mr. Minh Hung said.