Prices of all kinds of goods are rising at fever pitch in Hanoi’s markets during the lead up to Tet.
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| Price of vegetables on the rise |
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| Prices are high at supermarkets as well as open-air markets |
The price increase has applied to most staples, and all items popular during the holiday.
At many markets in the city, including Cau Giay in Cau Giay district, Thanh Cong, Tam Da and Cong Vi markets in Ba Dinh district, and Kham Thien market in Dong Da district, goods prices are on the rise.
A quick review of food prices by our reporters in the past few days showed a 15% to 20% rise, compared to normal days.
Prices for beef fillet have gone up to VND160,000 (USD8) per kilogramme, pork loin has shot up to VND90,000/kg, chicken to VND110,000/kg, tiger prawn to VND190,000/kg and black carp hovers around VND140,000 and 160,000/kg.
It’s a similar story for vegetables. Currently the prices are ranging from VND6,000/kg for Chinese celery to VND6,000/kg for tomatoes.
“The prices of goods has risen sharply since the festival of the Kitchen God. Prices are rising noticeably. On average, prices have increased once every three days,” said Ms Tam from O Cho Dua ward, Dong Da district.
“I’m worried that these prices will keep going up. This year I intend to buy my things for Tet sooner,” Tam said.
At Ngoc Ha market in Ba Dinh district, rice prices increase by between 15% and 20%, fluctuating between VND12,000 and VND19,500.
Dry goods such as dry bamboo sprouts, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms, experience price hikes of 10% to 15%.
Ms Lan, a merchant at Kham Thien market said, “The price increases are easy to explain this year. They’re a result of the prolonged cold, which has caused fresh food scarcity. It was easy to tell there would be high prices this season.”
Prices of goods at many supermarkets have also increased by 10% and 20%. A large number of goods have as high prices as in the daily markets.
Vu Vinh Phu, Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Supermarkets, said, “The Government can only curb prices of 10 essential goods, including such electricity, petroleum, and coal. But they may leave the prices of thousands of other goods and services unaffected.
In the meantime, an official from the Ministry of Finance, said, “Violations of price registration rules can be seen in many locations nationwide. In order to restrain price increases on Tet, due attention should be paid to inspection and supervision over the implementation of regulations on prices.”
