Hanoi prepares massive supplies for upcoming Tet celebrations

Nguyen Kieu Oanh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, told Cong Thuong Newspaper about preparations to supply goods to meet consumer demand during the upcoming Lunar New Year or Tet celebrations.

Nguyen Kieu Oanh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade. Photo: vovgiaothong.vn

How is the supply of goods being prepared to meet the surge in demand from consumers as the Tet holiday draws nearer?

As the year-end approaches, shopping typically increases, resulting in a more vibrant market to meet the growing demand for both this time of year and the Tet holiday.

To ensure a well-functioning market for Tet 2025, we are implementing a price stabilization program for essential goods in Hanoi. This program, which will run from July 2024 to June 2025, aims to stock and supply goods, especially for the holiday, involving 22 production and trading companies from Hanoi and other provinces to ensure the stabilization of goods at over 10,600 retail outlets across the city.

Since October, we have been closely monitoring market conditions and developing plans for the upcoming Lunar New Year and Tet celebrations. This includes identifying key products and forecasting supply capacity and demand for essential items three months before, during and after Tet.

Specifically, this time of year would require 298,350 tons of rice, 59,670 tons of pork, 19,890 tons of poultry, 16,500 tons of beef, 396 million eggs, 331,500 tons of vegetables, 16,560 tons of seafood, 16,560 tons of processed foods, 238,500 tons of fruit, and 1,575 tons of confectionery.

We have been advising manufacturing and trading companies to proactively create inventory plans, set up outlets, and organize promotions. Businesses are currently implementing plans to ensure goods are available for Tet.

In addition, the department actively matches supply and demand between Hanoi and other provinces to help local distributors maintain a stable and quality supply of goods.

Coordination with districts and manufacturing companies is also underway to closely monitor supply and demand trends, allowing for timely responses to market fluctuations and ensuring stability in the commodity market.

During the Tet holiday, what measures does the department take to ensure that there are enough goods for consumers?

We are organizing extensive distribution and retail activities to ensure an adequate supply of goods during the year-end and Tet celebrations.

The distribution of goods is coordinated through various channels. These include traditional outlets such as 30 shopping malls, 131 supermarkets, 455 traditional markets, 2,000 convenience stores, 110 points for promoting and selling OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, and tens of thousands of grocery stores throughout the city.

Additionally, the department will utilize multi-channel sales strategies, featuring 268 e-commerce websites and online sales platforms via phones, websites, and shopping apps in conjunction with traditional distribution systems.

The department plans to implement consumer stimulation programs to ensure timely and adequate supply of products for Tet 2025. This includes setting up sales outlets, organizing Tet sales events in districts, and holding flower markets and fairs organized by various departments and agencies.

We also encourage distributors to launch promotional campaigns and participate in Tet fairs.

What specific promotional strategies is Hanoi implementing to boost consumer spending for the upcoming Tet celebrations?

Every year, Hanoi organizes promotional events and sales programs to stimulate consumer demand. This year, the city is implementing special measures to prepare for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations in 2025.

To meet the expected increase in consumer demand, the city has proactively encouraged businesses to participate in the national concentrated promotion program. Major supermarket chains such as Central Retail Vietnam's GO! and MM Mega Market Vietnam Thang Long have launched extensive promotions, offering discounts ranging from 10% to 70%. These promotions will run through the end of the year and into the Tet holiday, along with lottery draws with over 300 prizes worth more than VND3 billion (US$118,000) to stimulate shopping and support market recovery after economic fluctuations in 2024.

Additionally, supermarkets like BRG Group’s Hapromart, Haprofood and BRGMart, are enhancing online shopping options through the BRG Shopping app, social media pages, hotlines, and the BRG Elite loyalty card to increase consumer engagement for Tet 2025.

We will also hold various events to promote shopping for the year-end and Tet celebrations. These include setting up retail outlets and organizing Tet sales in districts, industrial zones and rural areas, as well as staging flower markets. These activities will include more than 30 fairs and product exhibitions in various districts and industrial zones.

In addition, the department aims to strengthen regional links, promote and connect the consumption of fruits, agricultural products and OCOP goods from Hanoi and other provinces to ensure a stable supply of goods during the year-end and Tet celebrations. Each event is expected to have more than 100 stalls with a wide range of products for the Tet market.

How is Hanoi coordinating efforts to combat trade fraud and ensure the quality of goods for the upcoming Tet celebrations?

During the Tet holiday season, smuggling and trade fraud become more complex, especially for goods needed for Tet celebrations. In response, the city and relevant agencies are strengthening cooperation to crack down on smuggling, counterfeiting and food safety violations.

The department is proactively ensuring the quality of goods while managing the supply for Tet 2025. This includes developing plans and guiding local manufacturing and trading companies to prepare a reliable supply of quality goods.

In addition, we will conduct inspections to enforce compliance with regulations on promotional activities and food safety within the industry. Our department will lead a citywide inspection team to monitor food safety practices during Tet and Spring Festival in seven districts.

We will work closely with other relevant agencies to strengthen oversight and enforcement of food safety standards and to combat smuggling and trade fraud.

Thank you for your time.