Ly Kim Thu of HCM City’s District 3 was choosing gift hampers at a supermarket near home for Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays, which fall on February 5 this year.

Thu said: “At the end of every year I buy five to six hampers to gift my relatives. Tet gifts this year are varied in terms of items, designs and prices, making it easy to find what we require.”

With a month to go, the gift market is already buzzing with supermarkets, markets and shops offering a range of items for both business and individual customers.

Saigon Co.op, which owns the Co.opmart, Co.opXtra and Co.op Food, is offering more than 50 options, including 12 at prices ranging from VND125,000 (US$5.4) to VND299,000 million ($12.9) and the rest at VND299,000-2 million ($86.2).

They also pack gifts of any value and quantity on customers’ orders, and take orders from January 4 to 25 for free delivery in any province or city that has a Co.opmart or Co.opXtra store.

The hampers usually have confectionery, tea, coffee, cashew nut, sugar coated fruits, wine, and beverages.

Some have cooking oil, sugar, seasoning, fish sauce, sausages, among others.

There are also fruit hampers.

Saigon Co.op’s supermarkets together expect to sell an average of 10,000 a day.

South Korean supermarket chain Lotte Mart is selling more than 30 kinds of gift hampers at VND209,000-3.33 million ($9 -143.4).

Big C supermarket has 33 kinds of hampers and boxes at VND78,000-2 million. This year it is offering some unique items with specialities from various parts of the country and organic products.

Shops at traditional markets like Tan Dinh, Thi Nghe and Ba Chieu and many websites are also selling gift hampers.

Demand for gift hampers is expected to increase by 20 per cent this year, with those priced at VND500,000-1 million expected to be bestsellers.

According to retailers, consumers should buy only from reputed places and brands to ensure they get quality items. — VNS