As the evening of October 6th unfolded, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncake stalls in Hanoi remained unusually quiet, with few customers in sight—a stark contrast to the bustling scenes of previous years. The heavy rain brought by Typhoon No. 11 further dampened the already sluggish market atmosphere.
Ms. B., manager of a mooncake stall on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, sighed as she reflected on this year’s market. Despite years of experience in the mooncake business, she admitted this year’s sales were the worst she had ever seen.
“During peak season, usually the last week before Mid-Autumn, my stall would typically generate up to 100 million VND per day. However, this year, due to a sluggish economy and continuous storms, sales have plummeted. Today, from morning until now, we’ve only sold a few million VND worth of goods,” Ms. B. lamented.
A deserted mooncake stall on Giang Vo Street. In previous years, this area was always bustling, with customers often waiting in line.
Staff and managers at two mooncake stalls on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street expressed frustration over weak sales and significant revenue declines this year.
Ms. B. noted that even on non-rainy days earlier this week, daily sales only reached 30 to 40 million VND, half of what they were in previous years. With monthly rent for the stall at 100 million VND, she predicted substantial losses after accounting for inventory and other expenses.
“The weather this year has been particularly harsh, with Typhoon No. 10 followed immediately by Typhoon No. 11. The rain not only deters customers but also disrupts business operations and damages stalls. By the end of today, we’ll assess the inventory to return to the manufacturer. I estimate a significant surplus,” Ms. B. shared.
Ms. Phan Thanh Hue, owner of a bakery on Thai Ha Street, echoed similar sentiments. In previous years, she would sell out by the 14th day of the lunar month, but this year’s slow sales forced her to extend operations to the 15th. Even on the Mid-Autumn Festival day, sales showed no improvement.
“We extended sales by one day to salvage what we could, but the storm kept customers away. Typically, 4–5 days before Mid-Autumn, we’d achieve around 100 million VND per day, but this year, we’re lucky to reach half that,” Ms. Hue said.
At a mooncake stall on Tay Son Street, staff began packing up as early as the afternoon of October 6th. Some cakes were discounted by 10%, while premium gift boxes saw a 20% reduction.
An employee remarked, “There’s no point in staying open with no customers. We’re discounting the remaining stock and returning unsold items to the manufacturer, accepting this season’s losses.”
A mooncake stall on Tay Son Street began packing up from the afternoon of October 6th.
Some mooncakes were discounted, with vendors accepting minimal profit margins.
Meanwhile, stalls from brands like Kinh Do and Thu Huong maintained their prices without promotions, despite low foot traffic.
This year, retail prices for mooncakes ranged from 60,000 to 100,000 VND per 150g cake. Premium gift sets, priced between 2 to 5.8 million VND, included custom packaging and additional items like wine or tea.
Mooncake Madness: Grab 3 for Just 100,000 VND – Limited Time Offer!
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, many mooncake stalls in Hanoi remain surprisingly quiet, with some vendors resorting to promotions and discounts to boost sales.
Hanoi: Crowds Flock to Buy Mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival
Even at 10 PM, the bustling streets of Thuy Khue in Hanoi are alive with anticipation. Outside a renowned mooncake shop, a long, tightly packed queue stretches, as eager customers patiently await their turn to purchase the coveted treats.
An Unconventional Mid-Autumn Festival
With just a few days left until the Mid-Autumn Festival, the mooncake market has entered its final phase, showcasing unique and intriguing nuances.
Vietnamese Spend Nearly VND 52 Billion on 800,000 Mooncakes Purchased Online in One Month
Mooncake sales online are thriving, with the highest demand in the price range of 10,000 – 100,000 VND per piece. In just one month, revenue from four major e-commerce platforms reached an impressive 51.7 billion VND.
What’s Driving Vietnamese Consumers to Spend Over $2 Million on Nearly 800,000 Products in Just One Month?
This product offers a diverse range of options, catering to every budget and preference—from affordable, everyday essentials to premium, high-end selections.
