On December 15th, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in Cho Lon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, was bustling with Christmas decoration shops. From artificial Christmas trees and Santa Claus figurines to string lights and tinsel, a wide array of festive items were on display, priced affordably from just a few thousand to one million VND per item.
According to vendors, the Christmas market has been slow in recent years, and this year is no exception. Severe flooding and natural disasters in many regions have further dampened consumer demand. “We primarily sell wholesale and distribute nationwide, but this year sales have plummeted. Business is increasingly challenging, with sluggish demand,” shared an employee at one store.
One shop displayed a clearance sale sign, slashing prices to as low as 150,000 VND, yet few customers were in sight. The owner sat idly, scrolling through their phone, awaiting potential buyers.
Many shoppers cited economic hardships as the reason for cutting back on Christmas decorations. Instead, they are reusing old items and only purchasing essentials to maintain a festive atmosphere. “While there are many new products at reasonable prices this year, my budget constraints limit me to buying just a few items like a Christmas tree and some lights to create a holiday vibe,” said Minh Hạnh, a resident of Xuan Hoa Ward.
A variety of unique Christmas products await customers seeking to bring holiday cheer into their homes.
To boost sales, many vendors braved the sun, standing roadside with chairs, ready to approach any passing customers. Despite these efforts, foot traffic remained sparse.
Stalls stood quiet, with vendors outnumbering shoppers, despite the peak Christmas shopping season.
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