In the last days of January 2026, along National Highways 6, 4G, 37 (section through Son La province) and in markets, commune and ward centers, hundreds of points selling peach blossoms, kumquats, and Tet flowers appeared.
Ornamental peach trees and local peach trees are displayed along both sides of the road; kumquats and ornamental flowers are displayed quite diversely, decorated eye-catchingly, but the number of customers buying is still sparse.
Having been attached to the peach blossom trading profession for 5 years, about 20 days before Tet, Mr. Luong Van Xien (Gio village, Chieng Sinh ward) went to import local peach blossoms from many localities in the province to sell in the Noong Duc market area. This year, he imported nearly 300 peach blossom branches, but after four days of displaying for sale, only about 10 branches were consumed, and the selling price was also lower than last year.
According to Mr. Xien, the leap year causes peach blossoms to bloom early, the supply of beautiful native peach blossoms is limited, while purchasing power is slow. In previous years, peach blossoms sold very quickly at this time, sometimes people asked to buy before they could park their cars. This year, they have been on sale for four days and have only sold ten branches.
The scene of eating on the street and sleeping in the market, I just hope that in the coming days I will sell all the remaining peach blossoms to have more income to prepare for Tet for my family," Mr. Xien shared.
In the Co Noi intersection area, Mai Son commune, the atmosphere of buying and selling peach blossoms is also not very optimistic. More than ten households have built temporary shacks, covered with tarpaulins to sell peach blossoms day and night. Mr. Lo Van Cuong (Co Noi village, Mai Son commune) and two others jointly invested in importing peach blossoms from highland villages for sale.
In previous years, at this time, passenger cars and trucks bought a lot of peach blossoms, but this year the purchasing power is scattered. Each day, only about 10-15 branches of all kinds are sold, mainly to retail customers," Mr. Cuong said.
Reporters' records on January 31 showed that although the number of peach and kumquat trees on display is very large, especially in the area along To Hieu, Chieng Sinh wards, Mai Son, Yen Chau, Van Ho communes, there are several dozen points of sale, but more people go to see than buy. Some customers said they are still considering, waiting until close to Tet to decide.
Going with his family to choose early peach blossoms, Mr. Vu Manh Cuong (Group 2, To Hieu ward) said that peach blossoms are lazy in the year, so the flowers are beautiful, thick petals, and few defects. "My family has chosen a satisfactory peach branch, at a reasonable price to display early for Tet," Mr. Cuong shared.
Not only peach blossoms, the market for ornamental kumquats and ornamental flowers is also consuming slowly. Ms. Nguyen Thi Van (To Hieu ward) informed that this year she imported about 700 kumquat trees and orchids of all kinds, much less than last year, but the sales volume is still limited.
Kumquat prices range from 150,000 to 500,000 VND/pot, orchids from 300,000 to 2 million VND/pot, prices are lower than at the same time last year.
According to small traders, the economy has not really recovered, causing people to consider more carefully when buying Tet peach and kumquat trees, especially when Tet is not yet near.
Although purchasing power is still slow, many people still expect that in the days leading up to Tet, the market will be more vibrant, helping to alleviate worries about inventory and have more joy to welcome the new spring.
