Tet shoppers hit local markets on a budget

HCM City (VNA) - Wholesale markets and shops in HCM City offering a range of quality local products as the shopping season begins in earnest ahead of Tet, the Lunar New Year.

At Ben Thanh and Tan Binh, two of the city's famous markets, customers can buy products that have high-end styles at reasonable prices.

"My shop offers Vietnamese products at only 50,000-150,000 VND (2.2-7 USD)," said Nguyen Thi Tham, a shopkeeper at Tan Binh district's Tan Binh market.

Her shop offers accessories and clothing made by small factories in the district and nearby District 5.

Tham said that most shops in Tan Binh market were selling local goods instead of Thai and Chinese goods this year.

"My young customers don't care about where the products come from. They only care about price and quality," she said.

Her shop's clothing sells for only 150,000 VND for a dress, 90,000 VND (4 USD) for jeans, and 50,000 VND for two T-shirts.

Another shop-owner , Ms Ba, who ran a garment shop on Pham Van Hai street in Tan Binh district, said her customers preferred Vietnamese designs because they were trendy and the prices were reasonable.

Her mini and long skirts, made by private garment factories in Binh Chanh and Go Vap districts, cost only 90,000 VND each and quickly fly off the shelves.

"Two weeks before Tet, my shop's income has tripled compared with previous months," she said.

Her clothing for men under domestic brands like Viet Tien and Thang Loi have also sold well.

In Ben Thanh market, shoes and ao dai (traditional long dress) of locally made fabrics like silk and chiffon are favourite products of both foreign and local visitors.

Clothing made by young designers such as Ngoc Han and Anh Thu are hoping to capitalise on the festive season and are forking out money on advertising to grab the attention of consumers.

Their collections are offered at a discount of 40 percent, around 1.5 million VND (70 USD) per item after discount, at malls such as Vietnam Designer House and Now Zone, which are attracting more Vietnamese and foreign customers.

Famous designer Nguyen Cong Tri's products under the brand Kin Concept are selling at discounts of up to 80 percent, starting at only 300,000 VND (13 USD).

Kelly Bui clothes, however, are pricey, starting at over 200 USD for a dress, but young women with deep pockets are thrilled that sophisticated designs can now be found in Vietnam.

Dozens of ready-to-wear brand names owned by local fashion houses such as Ivy Moda, Elise and Eva de Eva have expanded their business.

Their products cost as little as 800,000 VND (30 USD) for a skirt and 2.2 million VND (100 USD) for trousers or a coat, while still providing a taste of global fashion trends.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, a salesperson at Elise, said: "We opened our shop in Tan Binh District last year and business is looking quite good."

The shop has a special 30 percent discount, which began last week and ends on February 5.

The shop has succeeded in part by encouraging young people, particularly women, to wear Vietnamese-made products.-VNA