Hanoi shoppers favor practical, eco-friendly Tet gift baskets as prices remain stable

THE HANOI TIMES —  Tet (Lunar New Year) gift baskets have filled supermarket shelves across Hanoi ahead of national holiday, with consumers increasingly favoring practical, compact sets that combine traditional treats with everyday household items, according to retailers and shoppers.

Major supermarket chains, including Co.op Mart, WinMart and Central Retail, report strong demand for gift baskets that mix confectionery, candied fruits and tea with essentials such as cooking oil and fish sauce, reflecting a shift toward usability and value amid year-end spending.

“I’m surprised by how refined the designs are this year,” said Dang Mai, a resident of Yen Hoa Ward. “I prefer baskets with eco-friendly products, handmade sweets, tea and regional specialties.”

Retailers now set prices range from about VND300,000 (US$11.4) to more than VND3 million ($114) per basket, with the most popular segment between VND500,000 ($19) and VND1.2 million ($45.7).

That range suits gifts for family members, friends and colleagues, while corporate buyers tend to choose baskets priced from VND800,000 ($30.5) to VND2 million ($76), favoring simple designs and practical contents.

At WinMart and its convenience formats, gift baskets are grouped by price to simplify shopping.

Entry-level sets start below VND300,000 ($11.4), while mid-range options include familiar items such as coffee, tea and soft drinks. Premium offerings feature imported confectionery, specialty coffee, wine and “Healthy Tet” boxes with low-sugar products and nuts.

Retailers under Central Retail Vietnam, including GO! and Tops Market, have also rolled out private-label Tet gift baskets early.

“For Tet 2026, we plan to supply more than 3,000 private-label gift baskets, most featuring Vietnamese specialties,” said Nguyen Thi Bich Van, communications director at Central Retail Vietnam. Prices range from VND350,000 ($13) to VND550,000 ($21), she said.

The trend extends beyond supermarkets to neighborhood grocery stores and gift streets, where many sellers began accepting advance orders weeks earlier, mainly from businesses and institutions.

“Customers started ordering from the beginning of the last lunar month,” said Tran Van Long, a small trader in Cau Giay Ward. “They look for affordable baskets with essential food items or health-oriented products to keep costs down.”

Online sales have also picked up, with sellers offering customizable baskets that allow buyers to choose contents and prices. The convenience appeals to young consumers and office workers, traders said.

Environmental concerns are shaping choices as well. Many online sellers now package baskets in bamboo, rattan or recycled paper instead of plastic, citing lower costs and rising demand for sustainable products.

Retailers said stable prices, wide selection and a focus on practicality have helped keep demand strong as Hanoi enters its peak Tet shopping season.