The Ultimate Shopping Haven: Ho Chi Minh City’s Patriotic Shopping Spree for the National Holiday

Ho Chi Minh City’s shopping malls and centers were bustling with customers on August 30th as residents embarked on the 2/9 holiday break. In addition to the sales and promotions offered by the malls and brands in celebration of the grand holiday, the city also hosted a massive discount event – City Sale – with discounts of up to 80%, further energizing the shopping atmosphere at the beginning of the long weekend.

Underground Hunt for Branded Bargains

Bến Thành underground station buzzed with eager shoppers in the afternoon, flocking to take advantage of the branded bargains on offer. The trains were packed with passengers as, for the first time, a shopping event was held “underground,” featuring over 500 international and domestic brands, including Gucci, Burberry, Prada, Nike, Adidas, Fila, Puma, Crocs, An Phước, Pierre Cardin, Citizen, Furla, Ohui, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Elastine, and Essance, offering discounts of up to 80%. This unique setting for a shopping festival particularly excited the city’s youth.

Loan Thảo, a resident of Vườn Lài ward, shared that her family opted to stay in the city for the 2/9 holiday, having already traveled and visited family during the summer break. They chose to go shopping to prepare for the new school year, watch movies, and enjoy the entertainment offerings in the city center.

“Our family of five started our tour at Bến Thành station, shopping for clothes and cosmetics, then took the train to visit the university where my child will soon enroll. We plan to stop by a mall near the Phú An station for some entertainment, dining, and further shopping. It’s a novel and exciting experience for all of us to explore the city, shop, and commute via the metro,” shared Loan Thảo.

At the An Phú station, the second location for this year’s branded sales event, crowds swarmed both the Vincom Thảo Điền mall and the area outside the station. Countless brands, from cosmetics to clothing, footwear, bags, accessories, and household goods, displayed enticing discount signs, with savings of up to 80%.

This shopping destination attracted customers not only with its extensive discounts but also with its vibrant decorations of golden star flags, adorning the station and mall and providing a popular backdrop for photos, especially among the younger generation.

Ngọc Nga, a resident of Thủ Đức, shared that her family traditionally spends the 2/9 holiday in the city to prioritize health and preparation for the new school year. It’s also an opportunity to take advantage of the numerous promotions offered by shopping centers. This year, with the additional shopping event at the metro stations, she felt excited about the unique experience of traveling and shopping by train.

Lê Việt Cường, Southern Region Operations Director for Vincom, shared that their 16 shopping centers in Ho Chi Minh City joined the 2/9 celebration with various promotions and extended operating hours, aiming to support residents in their shopping and leisure activities.

Compared to the previous year’s 2/9 holiday, Mr. Cường noted an over 20% increase in the quantity of discounted items and a higher number of participating businesses. With the City Sale event taking place at the metro stations for the first time, they anticipate a significant boost in customer footfall during this holiday period.

Lâm Thị Kim Trang, a representative of Parc Mall, mentioned that in addition to significant discounts, their shopping center also offered entertainment programs, including music and art performances, a lantern-themed area, and a Mid-Autumn Festival fair. Brands within the mall offered discounts of up to 50%, focusing on fashion, cosmetics, and household goods. They expected a 20-30% increase in customer traffic due to the long holiday and the diverse entertainment options for those staying in the city.

Other shopping centers, such as Diamond Plaza, SC VivoCity, and Vạn Hạnh Mall, also witnessed a surge in visitors with thousands of deeply discounted products. Essential goods, fashion items, school supplies, and food were among the most heavily discounted categories. Notably, most supermarkets and malls adorned their spaces with red and golden flags, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the country’s independence.

Supermarkets Join the Festive Fever with Abundant Promotions

The 2/9 holiday also witnessed supermarkets launching a plethora of promotions to stimulate shopping during the extended break, with most products discounted by up to 50% and complimentary gifts. Fresh food, household goods, home decor, and school supplies were among the categories focused on by the supermarkets.

MM Mega Market Vietnam’s stores buzzed with enthusiastic shoppers, captivated by the vibrant display of the national flag. Their ongoing promotion, “Tết Độc Lập – Mừng 80 Năm ngày Quốc Khánh,” offers over 2,000 products, ranging from food to essential goods, with discounts of 20-80% and various bundle deals.

According to Đinh Quang Khôi, Marketing Director of MM Mega Market Vietnam, anticipating a surge in demand, they have increased their stock by approximately 15%, with pork supplies raised by about 20% compared to the previous year’s 2/9 holiday. In addition to the promotions, the retailer is also collaborating with suppliers to maintain stable prices for essential goods, ensuring a worry-free shopping experience for customers during this significant national holiday.

AEON Vietnam also foresees a substantial increase in visitors to their malls and supermarkets during the long break, leading them to adjust their opening hours, starting earlier at 8 AM and closing later. They have proactively increased their stock by two to three times the usual amount to meet the anticipated high demand.

The expected rise in demand includes fresh food, ready-to-eat meals, and dining services, as well as national flags, decorations, and clothing featuring the golden star flag motif.

The WinMart and WinMart+ systems have also adorned nearly 4,200 supermarkets and stores across all provinces and cities with patriotic decorations, showcasing their National Day-themed displays. They have increased their stock by 30-40% compared to regular days.