Recorded at Ho Thi Ky flower market, most customers coming to the market gather to choose apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, chrysanthemums, lilies... to display for Tet, causing the demand for buying roses and Valentine's gifts to decrease compared to every year. The shopping atmosphere is therefore also different, when love flower stalls become quiet amidst the crowd busily shopping for Tet.
At this time every year, roses sell very well, customers ask to buy continuously. But this year, the number of customers has decreased significantly because everyone is worried about shopping for Tet first" - Ms. Mai, a small trader selling fresh flowers at Ho Thi Ky market, shared. According to her, Valentine's flower sales only reached about half compared to the same period, while Tet flowers are selling quickly.
Real-world records on many streets in Ho Chi Minh City show that only a few flower stalls still sell red roses, baby flowers and pre-designed bouquets, and the number of people stopping to choose is quite sparse. Instead, spring flower pots, peach branches and chrysanthemum bouquets prevail.
Some stores have to flexibly combine love flowers with spring flowers, creating bouquets with fresh colors. "Young customers still like Valentine's flowers, but they choose compact and affordable styles. Bouquets combined with roses and Tet flowers sell quite well" - Mr. Ngoc Hung - a flower trader on Nguyen Van Cu street said.
Not only fresh flowers, this year's Valentine's gift market also recorded many changes, especially in chocolate items.
According to Ms. Minh Thao, a souvenir seller on March 3rd street, in previous years, at this time, customers often searched for chocolate quite actively, especially boxed products or products designed on the theme of love. "This year, customers still have them but not many. Most only ask for small boxes, affordable prices to give as symbolic gifts, not buying large quantities or high-end types like every year" - Ms. Thao shared.
Popular chocolate samples still revolve around heart-shaped boxes, chocolate bars with messages or gift sets combined with flowers and stuffed animals. Some stores also proactively adjust their sources, reduce the amount of imported chocolate, and increase combined gift lines to suit pre-Tet tastes.
