As Tet approaches, nail salons and hair salons across Ho Chi Minh City are experiencing overwhelming demand. Customers are willing to wait from early morning until late into the night, with some salons staying open until 2 a.m. to meet the rush.

The Tet beauty rush

In the days leading up to Tet, women eagerly flock to beauty services, with nail care - both manicures and pedicures - being among the most sought-after. At Như Ý Nail Salon in Tan Binh District, appointments are fully booked until the 29th of the lunar calendar, leaving walk-in customers waiting for hours unless a rare opening arises.

Nhu Y, the salon owner, shared that most customers request both manicures and pedicures, prompting the need for maximum staff availability. “These days, we’re serving customers until nearly 2 a.m. because of the overwhelming demand,” she said.

Thanh Tuyen, a customer from Tan Phu District, explained that she always books her nail appointments a month in advance. “This timing is perfect—it ensures my nails will stay fresh until Tet without much regrowth,” she said.

For those too busy to visit a salon, mobile nail services are becoming popular in Ho Chi Minh City. Phuong Hoa, a resident of Binh Thanh District, shared that hiring a nail technician to visit her home is not significantly more expensive than going to a salon and is far more convenient.

Hair salons packed from morning to midnight

Men's hair salons are also witnessing a surge in activity. At a salon owned by Thien Vu in Tan Binh District, every chair is occupied as the Tet rush intensifies.

“Normally, we see a rise in customers from the beginning of the lunar month, but this year, the real surge only began in the past week,” Vu said. According to him, the number of customers has doubled compared to regular days and could increase by 150% on weekends.

He also noted a trend of more budget-conscious spending this year. Customers are opting for simpler, lower-cost services, such as basic haircuts and face-shaving.

One customer, Duy Nguyen, traveled from District 10 to Vu’s salon to get a Dreadlock undercut before returning to his hometown for Tet. This trendy hairstyle, popular among youth this year, costs around 200,000 VND (approximately $8.50).

On average, Vu’s salon serves about 30 customers daily, with the busiest hours being midday. Customers often fill every available seat, waiting patiently for their turn.

At a women’s hair salon on Bui Huu Nghia Street in Binh Thanh District, the bustling activity continues late into the night. For the past two weeks, the salon has been crowded with customers from morning until well past midnight.

Inside the salon, five women were seen receiving services such as washing, curling, and styling their hair. Some customers traveled over 10 kilometers to get their hair done.

Hằng Lê, the salon owner, said her shop typically closes at 9 p.m., but during this peak period, they often work through the night. “If customers call to book, we’ll accommodate them. Tet is a busy time for everyone, but looking good is a priority, so we make the time,” she said with a smile.

For services like bleaching and dyeing hair, the average cost is around 1.5 million VND (approximately $63), with sessions lasting at least three hours.

Waiting times are inevitable, especially for customers seeking extensive treatments. “As long as I leave here looking great, the wait is worth it,” said Boi Boi, who was prepared to stay until 2 a.m. for her hair to be bleached and dyed a smoky gray tone.

Nguyen Hue