Hang Giay Street, Ngo Gach Alley and Hang Buom Street in Hoan Kiem Ward have long been go-to destinations for confectionery, drinks, nuts and Tet gifts. In the run-up to Tet, the area is packed with shoppers and queues of vehicles.
Hoang Yen, from Yen Hoa Ward, said she has been visiting the street for 10 years to buy Tet confectionery, preferring to shop in person despite living about 10 kilometres away because of the wide selection and reasonable prices.
Dozens of delivery riders wait at the street’s entrance, but with many shoppers transporting goods themselves, orders are not guaranteed.
Delivery riders wait patiently, ready to take orders when shoppers need home delivery.
Nam loaded five boxes of preserved fruits onto his motorbike for his 11th delivery of the day. In the run-up to Tet, he works from 6 a.m. until nearly midnight.
Sunflower seeds, cashews and sweets are sold loose by the kilogramme, mixed to order and bagged on the spot, with prices ranging from VND 100,000 to 250,000 (USD 3.90-9.70).
Many shoppers opt to buy small quantities of each item, finding it both convenient and budget-friendly.
Tet gift baskets, wrapped in cellophane and decorated with bright bows, are arranged by price, with many shoppers opting for pre-packaged sets for convenience.
At Nguyen Nhu Ngoc’s stall on Ngo Gach Street, dozens of ready-made Tet gift boxes line the shopfront, priced from VND 300,000 to 5 million (USD 11.70-195) depending on contents and presentation.
By 4 pm, the confectionery street showed no sign of slowing, growing busier as the afternoon wore on.
