Unlike the customary hustle and bustle of the Christmas decoration market in Ho Chi Minh City in the year-end season, local traders have been on tenterhooks as the typically vibrant atmosphere is replaced by an abnormal sense of gloom and quiet trading this year.

On Thursday afternoon, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper visited Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in the city’s District 5, known as the largest hub for seasonal decorations, where a diverse range of Christmas adornments were on display, encompassing various types, designs, and prices. 

Overall, the prices of Christmas items this year have seen minimal changes compared to the previous year.

Christmas decorations are displayed at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

Products such as ribbons, bows, and stars are priced between VND20,000 (US$0.8) and VND123,000 ($5) per item, while pine trees range from VND200,000 ($8.2) to VND10 million ($412) each, contingent on their size.

Among these items, pine trees, string lights, and hanging decorations like baubles and ribbons remain the most sought-after among customers. 

Affordable pine trees priced under VND1 million ($41) have particularly garnered significant interest.

People shop for Christmas decorations at a store in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

Some shop owners said that this year, they commenced selling Christmas decorations early right after Halloween, which falls on October 31.

Despite the early start, numerous business proprietors have received much fewer orders than in the pre-pandemic years. 

A Santa Claus figurine is displayed at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

Tran Thao, the owner of a prominent decoration store on the street, shared her observation that early customers primarily consisted of companies, restaurants, hotels, and cafés. 

Despite the approach of the festive season, she has noticed a lack of individual customers.

Christmas decorations are displayed at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

Perplexed by the low interest, Thao resorted to actively reaching out to potential customers, only to discover that many were still awaiting their company’s consideration of the decoration budget. 

“More dishearteningly, some have decided to forgo Christmas decorations as they are tightening their belt,” Thao said.

A decorative pine tree is displayed at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

In anticipation of economic challenges, N.T.V., the owner of a store on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, has slashed imported goods by 50 percent, halved the workforce, and limited imports to popular decorative items. 

Several other small businesses still pinned high hopes on an improvement in early December, the peak of Christmas decoration shopping.

Christmas decorations are displayed at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

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