Along streets such as Lac Long Quan, Quang Ba flower garden, Duong Dinh Nghe (Hanoi),... small traders have brought the colors of spring to the streets.
However, recorded on the days of December 19-20 of the lunar calendar, although the number of people pouring into the streets was quite large, they mainly went to admire and take photos, not boldly "spending money" to buy flowers and ornamental plants like in previous years.
Mr. Nguyen The Hien (Ba Vi, Hanoi) - a small trader with 2 years of experience trading Tet ornamental plants in Hanoi - said that purchasing power this year has decreased significantly.
This year's peach and kumquat trees are selling very slowly, not as stable as last year. I imported about 400 kumquat trees, tonight I will bring in another 200 trees, but by this time I have only sold about 100 trees. Goods still have to come in batches, the money has been paid to the gardeners, so it is impossible not to take them. If the situation does not improve, maybe in a few days I will have to sell off at the original price to return to my hometown for Tet early" - Mr. Hien shared.
According to Mr. Hien, the source of peach and kumquat at his kiosk is mainly imported from Me So commune (Hung Yen) and some localities in Bac Giang province (old). Although the selling price this year is lower than last year, consumers tend to tighten spending, only choosing plants and flowers with mid-range prices.
Like every year, right from the 2nd day of the first month, buyers have rushed in. But this year until the 19th-20th day of the twelfth lunar month, sales are still very slow" - Mr. Hien added.
Not far away, Ms. Bui Thu Oanh's business area (Hung Yen) is also in a quiet state.
People go out to admire flowers, but mainly just see them, very few buy them. Flower and ornamental plant business depends heavily on outdoor weather, high care costs, and high risks. I invested about 500 million VND, but at this point I have to'pick up' every penny" - Ms. Oanh expressed.
According to Ms. Oanh, doing business with large capital but selling it'in small drops' makes many people gradually lose motivation, while having to live underground.
High-priced flowers and ornamental plants, millions of VND per pot, are almost stagnant. Most people today only choose small, low-priced flowers to save spending. Like every year, at this time they are selling very "quickly", but this year until December 19-20 of the lunar calendar it is still quiet" - Ms. Oanh assessed.
Many flower sellers expect that from now until near Tet, when workers receive salaries and bonuses, purchasing power may improve.
