HCM CITY — In the context of a gradual economic recovery and people tending to tighten spending, a series of affordable Tết gift baskets have been launched by businesses with diverse designs.

At many supermarkets, traditional markets and stores in HCM City, a large number of Tết gift baskets have been released to the market by businesses at reasonable prices and with many promotions.

Thousands of Tết gift baskets and gift boxes with diverse designs and prices are being displayed at many Co.opmart and Co.opXtra supermarkets. In particular, business prioritises gift packages priced from VNĐ150,000-VNĐ600,000 (US$6-24), or even only VNĐ99,000 (US$4).

A representative of Co.opmart said that this year's Tết gift baskets would be sold early and would focus on promoting 15 types of popular baskets with essential items needed during Tết (Lunar New Year) such as candies, nuts, spices and nutritious foods.

Similarly, at the Lotte Mart supermarket system, a large number of gift baskets have also been introduced. In addition to applying discounts of up to 15 per cent, Lotte said it would give vouchers and additional discounts for large orders.

The variety is quite diverse with dozens of models priced from VNĐ190,000-VNĐ2,070,000 per basket.

Popular baskets from VNĐ190,000-VNĐ500,000 are given priority to be launched the most.

Lotte Mart said it also introduced gift cards with values ​​from VNĐ100,000-VNĐ5 million to give customers more choices.

A representative of the Emart supermarket system said that this year it proactively displayed and diversified gift baskets with more than 25 different types priced from VNĐ299,000-VNĐ2,190,000 per basket, most of which are under VNĐ1 million.

In addition to focusing sales on the mid-range segment, this year the company proactively reduced the amount of candies and jams and increased healthy products in gift baskets such as brown rice cakes, tea and various nuts.

Faced with increased demand in the low-price segment, many manufacturing enterprises have also changed their Tết gift strategies to suit the market.

A representative of Orion Vina said that they had increased the quantity of affordable goods for Tết this year by 20-25 per cent, pricing baskets from VNĐ88,000-VNĐ500,000.

"This is a strategy to reach users in the context that they prioritize finding Tết gifts at reasonable prices and guaranteed quality. Thanks to diverse products and reasonable prices, the company recorded growth in the first weeks of sales," a representative of Orion Vina said.

A representative of Kido Group said that in addition to the confectionery line that would try to keep prices affordable, this year the group had proactively launched a large number of Tết gift packages with prices of only VNĐ100,000-VNĐ200,000 per basket, featuring mostly practical products such as cooking oil, fish sauce and spices.

"Businesses are the biggest source of customers buying Tết gift baskets every year, but this year many companies have announced a reduction in the quantity and value of gift baskets. Therefore, keeping prices and prioritising the low-priced segment is reasonable."

As the 2025 Lunar New Year approaches, many businesses have to recalculate the cost of Tết gifts for employees and customers.

The leader of a textile company in Đồng Nai Province said that in previous years, each Tết gift the company spent on employees averaged around VNĐ300,000. However, this year, this amount had been cut by 40 per cent because the company failed to meet its profit target.

Accordingly, each Tết gift basket for employees this year was only valued at around VNĐ180,000.

"With 1,500 employees, the company expects to spend about VNĐ270 million on Tết gifts, not including New Year and Lunar New Year bonuses."

Trần Thị Thủy, Head of Human Resources at an interior design company in HCM City, said that the company was reducing the value of Tết gift baskets for employees and customers during this year's Tết holiday. Therefore, she must prioritise choosing essential gift baskets for Tết needs.

The company's gift budget for employees is VNĐ300,000 and for customers it is VNĐ500,000. — VNS