Postal and delivery services across Vietnam have been working at full force to meet the enormous demand ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

As Vietnamese people have been boosting purchases as part of their preparations for the year’s biggest holiday, demand for postal and delivery services has also skyrocketed.

Firms and intuitions specializing in this field have exerted all efforts to finish their clients’ orders as soon as possible.

According to Tran Thi Thu Trang, a clothing store owner in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, the number of buyers as well as requests for home delivery has increased by two to three times compared to an average day.

In order for the clothes to be transported to her customers, Trang has been paying between VND20,000 (US$0.88) and VND60,000 ($2.64) for each delivery.

Each delivery company has its own price list, Trang said, adding that the cost is often charged by kilometer.

GrabExpress is a good and convenient choice for urgent delivery within the city, while postal service is more preferred when it comes to interprovincial transport.

Orders have also ‘flooded’ a garment factory in Tan Binh District, Bui Quang Minh, the manager, stated, adding he usually uses delivery services at local posts and passenger bus lines.

An employee of the Saigon Central Post Office delivers a package to a resident in District 4. Photo: Tuoi Tre

“These institutions are more reliable. I previously had a bad experience with a local express delivery service, in which the shipment was made a week late,” Minh elaborated.

As the demand is high, many transport services have expanded their operations and recruited extra personnel.

According a representative of the Bac Nam Transport Company, the number of shipment orders has risen by 30 to 40 percent, forcing the firm to extend its regular working hour as well as human resources.

Timing is essential

For many customers, timing is everything, thus businesses also focus on making the shipments within the periods they promise.

L.P., a frequent user of the local online shopping site Tiki.vn, recounted his purchase on February 6, adding he chose the site’s express delivery service, in which the products would be transported within two hours.

Despite busy streets ahead of the holiday, the delivery was only five minutes late, P. said, adding that Tiki had emailed him an apology and a 30 percent compensation for his next purchase.

During an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Nguyen Huu Thinh, deputy director of the Saigon Central Post Office, stated that the facility had hired additional vehicles and employees to make sure the shipments are made on time.

The number of orders has doubled compared to normal days, Thinh continued.

According to Nguyen Trong Quynh, the Ho Chi Minh City branch director of Phuc Thuan Thao Bus Line, the company had prepared for the rising demand.

The firm also offers transport service for passengers’ goods and heavy luggage, which is charged per kilogram, Quynh added.

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