Recorded on January 28 (December 10 of the lunar calendar), there are now small traders bringing Tet flowers for sale in the 30/4 street area (Ninh Kieu ward, Can Tho city). The main item appearing earliest this year is large chrysanthemums with a characteristic yellow color.
Although flowers have taken to the streets, according to observations, the number of people stopping to shop is sparse. Most passersby only stop to ask for prices or take souvenir photos.
According to the confidence of small traders, the fact that the market has not improved in the early days was predicted in advance, but it is possible that the level of sluggishness this year will be somewhat prolonged.
The main reason why the Tet flower market in Can Tho City has not "heated up" lies in the cautious psychology of consumers. Amidst the economic context still facing many pressures, the balance of spending on decoration items is carefully placed on the scale, ranking behind essential items such as rice, food, meat, cakes, jams,...
Strolling around the streets to visit flowers in Can Tho these days, Mr. Than Thanh Luan (resident of Hoang Van Thu street, Can Tho city) - shared: "Actually, everyone has a psychology of referring to prices. Moreover, if you buy flowers too early, it will take more effort and time to care for and water them to keep them fresh until the 1st day of Tet. For busy families like us at the end of the year, this is a significant obstacle.
In Long Tuyen ward, gardener Nguyen Van Truyen (born in 1975) is considering the time to "ploy goods" to the market to optimize costs and effort.
Mr. Truyen said that in recent days he has been to the center of Can Tho City to see the situation, but seeing that there are no signs of recovery, he is not in a hurry. He plans to start transporting flowers for sale on the 19th of the lunar month.
Bringing it out early only adds transportation and guarding costs, but customers don't buy it immediately. I think after the 15th of the twelfth lunar month, at that time workers in industrial parks and offices usually have received Tet bonuses, people's pockets are more stable, they are more comfortable buying," Mr. Truyen shared.
In Can Tho City, usually every year, from December 13th to 19th of the lunar calendar is the time when small traders and gardeners in the city as well as the Mekong Delta provinces bring flowers to the city to serve customers. The peak of the flower market will be bustling from the 23rd of the lunar calendar, after the Kitchen Gods Tet.
Through surveys from gardeners, in general, flower prices this year have differentiated. Some types of flowers blooming early due to unfavorable weather have quite "soft" prices, sold early through social networks or directly in the garden. Meanwhile, high-end flowers or ornamental plants, bonsai still maintain high prices.
Raspberry chrysanthemums are being offered at prices from 170,000 - 180,000 VND/pair for ordinary types, while large Taiwanese chrysanthemum pots are priced from 700,000 - 1,000,000 VND. Paper flowers and apricot blossoms (depending on size) have starting prices from 300,000 - 500,000 VND to about several million, tens of millions.
It is known that this year, Can Tho City continues to organize a Tet flower market in park 586 area (Hung Phu ward) with 700 booths. This Tet flower market will invite small traders from all 5 provinces and cities of the Mekong Delta to participate.
