As the Lunar New Year (Tet) of the Snake approaches, beauty salons, nail shops, and spas across Hanoi are bustling with activity.

On the first day of Tet holidays, these establishments were crowded with customers eager to refresh their appearance for the festive season. Many owners had to extend their hours late into the night and hire additional staff to meet the soaring demand.

At a nail salon in Cau Giay District, owner Dung Nguyen shared that her shop has been consistently packed, with customers booking appointments for both manicures, pedicures, and eyelash extensions. The salon, busy since mid-month, has been running at full capacity from 9 AM until as late as 2 AM.

Dung noted that the average cost for a manicure or pedicure ranges from 110,000–200,000 VND (approximately $4.50–$8.50), while eyelash extensions cost between 250,000–400,000 VND ($10–$17). Despite the increased demand, her salon has maintained its regular pricing for loyal customers, with each service typically taking 20–30 minutes to complete.

Hair salons have also seen an uptick in customers, though owners observe a more frugal approach to spending this year. In Hoang Mai District, salon owner Hoan reported that her clientele has grown steadily in the past week. Most customers opt for treatments like hair steaming, curling, and coloring, with appointments lasting around three hours.

"Some customers spend the entire afternoon perfecting their hairstyle," Hoan revealed, though she noted that this year’s demand still falls short of pre-pandemic levels.

Men’s hair salons are equally busy. Minh Tu, a barbershop owner in Cau Giay District, said his shop remains open as long as there are customers. "On normal days, we close by 9 PM, but during Tet, we keep going late into the night," he said.

One of Minh Tu's customers, Phung Van Ha, traveled from Tay Ho District to get a trendy "dreadlock" haircut, a style popular among young people. The service cost him 220,000 VND (about $9).

The surge in demand has prompted many salons to require advance appointments to avoid overcrowding. Spa and nail salon owners in Hanoi report hiring extra workers to handle the holiday rush. Late-night hours have become the norm, with some shops serving customers well past midnight.

Though many customers are cutting back on discretionary spending, the tradition of looking one’s best for Tet remains strong. Beauty services, from nail art to elaborate hairstyles, remain an integral part of festive preparations.

Cong Huan