In Ho Chi Minh City this year more restaurants have stayed open during the holiday; their reward for working through Tet is a lot of money.
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| HCMC cafe crowded during Tet |
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| No shortage of customers |
Mr. Chien is the owner of one coffee shop, in District 3, who decided to keep his business running during Tet. He said, “During these five days, I’ve made as much as I usually do in two months.” Still, he had to prepare for two weeks before the holiday to keep his business running. Finding staff and supplies to last through the New Year is difficult. But the benefits were clearly visible. His coffee shop was constantly full.
According to Mr. Chien, there were fewer eateries open in the past for the Tet holiday. But recently business has become more competitive. More business owners are taking advantage of this time to earn extra money.
From the 1st through the 4th of lunar month of January, all restaurants, including street stalls, welcomed a large amount of customers. The evenings, a time when many chose to flow onto the streets for a relaxing walk, were especially favourable for business.
People crowded into the open coffee houses on Hoang Minh Giam, in Phu Nhuan District. Restaurants along Bac Hai Street, in District 10, and Pham Ngu Lao Street in Go Vap District were packed.
The vendors who chose to work, especially those in Gia Dinh Park and Nguyen Hue Flower Street, also found their efforts well rewarded.
“Before Tet there are hundreds of peddlers up and down Nguyen Hue Street, but when Tet arrives, only a few of us remain. But the demand is still there. During the holiday, I sell hundreds of ears of corn every day. My husband sells baked chicken eggs, and his business is three to four times what usually is,” said Mrs. Le Thi An, a vendor.
Also, the prices of goods and services increased 10% to 20%.
Mrs. Ha, owner of a restaurant on Pham The Hien Street, in District 8, said that she sells bowls of noodles for VND20,000 (USD1), which is VND3,000 (USD0.15) higher than usual. The prices of meat, vegetables and other foods also increased sharply.
The cost of labour rises during Tet as well. It was not uncommon for restaurant staff to earn triple the amount they usually make, which averages around VND50,000 (USD2.5) per day.
