Typically, people often buy Tet flower pots before the New Year’s Eve moment. However, until now, on the 9th day of Tet (February 18th), there are still some cherry blossom and kumquat trees lying on the sidewalks waiting for buyers. In the picture, dozens of unused cherry blossom trees are covered by street vendors on the 72m road, Vinh City, Nghe An Province.
Mr. Tran Tho – a cherry blossom vendor on the 72m road – said that never before has the business of Tet flower plants been as slow as this year. Lucky sellers may make a little profit or break even, but the majority have to liquidate and sell off their stock to recover capital before the New Year’s Eve moment.
“There are still dozens of cherry blossom trees left that I am clearing out at a cheap price. At this time, if customers buy, it’s not for decoration anymore, but they can plant the trees in their gardens,” Tho shared.
In Le Nin Boulevard, Vinh City, there are still ancient cherry blossom trees that have not been sold during Tet.
The cherry blossoms have withered and faded.
The unused cherry blossom trees are pruned by the vendors.
Mr. Phong – a long-time Tet flower plant vendor in Vinh City – invested billions of dong to import plants for Tet sales. However, up to now, he is struggling to handle dozens of unsold Diễn pomelo trees. “This year is the heaviest loss. The number of sales is only about 50%. After 3 Tet days, I still hoped that there would be visitors coming to inquire about buying, but there were none. The price is already very cheap,” Phong said.
The larger Diễn pomelo trees, which were previously sold for 40-50 million VND, are now only about 10 million VND. For smaller trees, which used to be sold for 10-15 million VND, they are now only worth 2-5 million VND, but there are no customers asking to buy.
Even after Tet, there are still uncollected kumquat trees on the streets in Vinh City.
According to the vendors, there are three main ways to handle the unsold plants. Firstly, selling them at a very cheap price. Secondly, returning them to plant suppliers in the North at a price of only half of what the vendors paid. Finally, hiring local gardeners in Vinh City to take care of the plants so they can be sold again next Tet.
