As the Lunar New Year (Tet) draws near, supermarkets across Ho Chi Minh City are packed to capacity, with many shoppers unable to complete their purchases in a single visit.

Crowded aisles, long checkout queues, and high demand for Tet goods have left customers like Mr. Tam and his wife from Binh Thanh District planning multiple trips to finish their holiday shopping.

At 7 PM on January 26 (the 26th day of the lunar calendar), a supermarket on Hanoi Highway in Thu Duc City was bustling with customers.

Popular items included confectionery, dried foods, and Tet-specific staples such as banh chung (square sticky rice cake).

The banh chung counter was particularly busy, with the stock frequently running out despite daily restocking and promotions.

A staff member shared that these cakes are a top seller, with many customers purchasing them as essential Tet offerings.

Fresh food, household goods, and fashion items are also in high demand as supermarkets roll out year-end discounts.

Shoppers like Hong Phuong from Thu Duc City took advantage of these promotions to buy gifts for family and friends in her hometown.

"Prices haven’t increased much this year, so it’s easy to shop," she said. "I filled two carts but will have to come back tomorrow because I can only carry so much on my motorbike."

To avoid forgetting anything, Thu Tam, a shopper from Thu Duc City, and her daughter prepared a shopping list on her phone.

Meanwhile, long checkout lines are a common sight, with some customers waiting 10–15 minutes to pay at one of the 20 counters available.

Fashion counters offering discounted clothing are also attracting significant crowds, while delivery staff outside work tirelessly to ensure orders are dispatched promptly.

Despite the late hour, many supermarkets remain packed. At 9 PM on January 25, a supermarket on Phan Van Tri Street in Go Vap District still had full checkout lines, with carts brimming with confectionery, Tet gift sets, and household supplies.

Due to the overwhelming number of shoppers and extended wait times, Mr. Tam and his wife from Binh Thanh District could only buy a fraction of their planned Tet purchases during their first trip.

"We spent over 2 million VND tonight, which is just 10% of our budget for Tet shopping," he said. "We’ll return tomorrow morning to avoid the evening rush."

Even after 10 PM, crowds could still be seen outside supermarkets as shoppers waited for transportation home after a long evening of shopping.

The festive season, coupled with promotions, continues to drive intense activity at supermarkets across the city, making Tet shopping an endurance test for many.

Dao Phuong