Xmas market heating up, but low sales

Since early December, the colour red has adorned most of Hanoi's streets such as Luong Van Can, Hang Ma, and Hang Can that sell seasonal Christmas goods.

Children are especially keen on varieties of colourful toys like masks, bows, action figures, and cars.

Shopkeepers report that prices have increased 10–15 percent compared to last year because of a sharp rise in material costs.

In Hang Ma street, the cheapest small pine tree sells for VND50,000 while the larger ones with no decorations are listed between VND150,000–VND600,000 each.

The price of Santa Claus figures ranges from VND300,000–VND500,000, children Santa costumes are VND40,000–VND250,000, and adult Santa costumes from VND100,000–VND300,000.

Laurel wreaths can be bought for VND30,000–VND150,000 while a set of decorative lights costs VND40,000–VND300,000. Most small Christmas tree decorations sell for VND10,000 each.

Most of the visitors to these streets are only to watch and inquire into product prices, and young people gather for photographs.

Nguyen Thi Sang, from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said the 2012 market lacks new, eye-catching products.  A majority of what is on offer comes from previous years.

The economic recession is to blame, forcing businesses and families to  economise, forgo luxuries, and instead make do with older purchases accentuated by smaller, newer decorative additions.