The Ultimate Mid-Autumn Treat: Indulge in Our Exquisite Mooncakes, Priced at Almost 300,000 VND Each, But Buy One and Get… 3 for Free!

On September 14th, many streets in Ho Chi Minh City such as Quang Trung (Go Vap District), Hung Vuong (District 5), and Nguyen Van Cu (District 1) saw moon cake stalls offering promotions and discounts. Specifically, customers could buy one box and get three more for free, or buy one cake and receive three to four extra ones; with some cakes priced as low as VND 20,000 each.

At a stall on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street (District 5), staff promoted moon cakes with vi ca ga quay (a traditional Vietnamese dish of chicken and fish), xa xiu thap cam (a Chinese-influenced dish with various meats) and more, priced at VND 285,000/250g. “If you buy one cake, we will give you three more of the same or different types but of the same value,” said a staff member.

When asked if they were making any profit with such discounts, the staff member laughed and said they were just breaking even. They also shared that despite the huge discounts, there were very few customers.

“There are only a few days left until the Mid-Autumn Festival, so we’re offering huge discounts to clear our stock. However, very few customers are buying. Due to the impact of Typhoon Yagi, many places postponed their Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, so customers didn’t buy moon cakes in large quantities as they used to. Some regular customers who had placed orders earlier also canceled at the last minute,” said Mr. Binh, owner of a moon cake stall on Cong Quynh Street (District 1).

Meanwhile, many customers shared that despite the promotions and discounts, the moon cakes sold at these sidewalk stalls were not actually cheaper. According to Ms. Minh, a 250g chicken moon cake could not cost VND 285,000. Buying one cake and getting three more as a gift meant that a box of four cakes would cost VND 285,000.

“Usually, I go to the supermarket and choose a box of moon cakes from a reputable brand, which costs around VND 250,000 – 260,000 for four cakes. This price is before any promotions, so it can be even cheaper during sales. If we compare the prices with the sidewalk stalls, I think their promotions are just a way to stimulate consumption, and the prices are not really discounted, and may even be higher,” Ms. Minh said.

When Mr. Thanh Binh (29 years old, office worker) saw a stall on Pham Van Dong Street (Thu Duc City) advertising moon cakes for only VND 20,000 – 25,000 each, he immediately stopped to inquire. However, he soon realized that these were small cakes, weighing only 100g each, with mostly flour and a little bean paste.

In traditional markets, moon cakes are also sold by traders at very low prices, ranging from VND 25,000 to 55,000 per cake. However, most of these cakes have obscure brands, or only the words “moon cake” printed on the plastic packaging. Many of them are also “3 no” cakes: no labels, no brands, and no production or expiration dates…

Sold alongside dried fish at Ho Trong Quy Market (District 6), a trader assured customers that these moon cakes were delicious and of good quality, and safe to eat because they did not contain any additives or preservatives…

“Some customers buy up to ten boxes at a time as gifts. If you buy four cakes, I’ll give you a fancy box. I only have a small quantity left for retail sale because the Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here, so please hurry and buy some, as I only sell these cakes once a year,” the trader said enthusiastically.

In traditional markets, moon cakes are not only sold at candy stalls but also alongside vegetables, seafood, and other products. They are priced from VND 40,000 to 50,000 per cake, and customers can even haggle for a better price.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department, in recent years, the city’s moon cake market has been very diverse, with attractive designs and reasonable prices. The cakes are imported through official and unofficial channels, and some are also handmade by individuals, gaining the favor of many consumers.

Identifying the potential food safety risks associated with these moon cakes, the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department has directed its teams to strengthen management in their respective areas to promptly detect and strictly handle any violations.

The Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Authority is also coordinating with relevant departments, the People’s Committees of districts, and Thu Duc City to ensure food safety during the Mid-Autumn Festival.