Tran Thanh Tu of HCM City was choosing gifts for his mother and wife for International Women’s Day, March 8, at a shopping mall in District 5.

“Last year I gifted my mother a perfume and my wife a lipstick. This year I plan to buy a skincare product for my mother and a bracelet for my wife.

“[They] will be happy.”

He is not the only one buying gifts.

Since flowers remain among the most popular gifts, florists have introduced new bunches at prices ranging from a few hundred thousand dong to over VND1 million (US$43.8).

An employee at an orchid shop on Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District, said moth orchids are the bestselling item at her shop.

These flowers can last for up to four weeks and cost from VND250,000 a pot.

Shops at Ho Thi Ky Flower Market have increased supply and hired more people to arrange and deliver flowers to meet the higher demand.

Most supermarkets and shopping malls in the city are offering a wide range of gifts and services to satisfy all kinds of needs.

Big C supermarket is offering discounts of up to 49 per cent on more than 1,000 items, including skincare and hair care products, cosmetics, fashion products, and accessories under its “Ton vinh ve dep Viet” (honouring Vietnamese beauty) programme.

Korean supermarket chain Lotte Mart is also offering discounts of 5-49 per cent on more than 1,000 beauty and healthcare products besides gift boxes.

Women customers will also be offered free consultancy on make-up, skin care and hair care at the two supermarkets.

Co.opmart and Co.opXtra supermarkets are offering big discounts on food and cosmetics.

Jewellery companies like SJC and PNJ have introduced new collections and launched promotions.

The Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company has launched a ‘Luxury Gift Collection’ featuring gold and precious stones.

Customers have the chance to win 10 taels of Tai Loc (Good fortune) gold and 100 vouchers worth VND1 million each from a lucky draw on the occasion.

Fashion and cosmetics shops are offering attractive discounts. — VNS