HCMC lengthens promotion season to three months to spur consumption

Its Department of Industry and Trade said the promotion, which began on June 15, would be extended to September 15, with 3,000 companies offering discounts.

There are promotions on a variety of products, including in the luxury segment, it added.

Some shops offer "buy 1 get 1 free" promotions.

Hoa of Go Vap District said while shopping in a supermarket two-thirds of her cart are discounted.

"Products either get a discount or are sold with gifts."

Another shopper, Hoang Anh, said the discounts are genuine and not on marked-up prices, and so she gets 30% more for the same money than before.

Major retail chains such as Satra, Go!, Co.opmart, WinCommerce, MM Mega Market all have discount on a variety of products. Some products carry discounts of 49%.

A spokesperson for Central Retail said with people tightening their purse strings, this year the supermarket chain has spent its biggest ever amount on discounts.

Saigon Co.op has increased its spending on discounts by 15-25%, and has seen customers spend 30% more.

At traditional markets, food, clothes and footwear are sold at up to 50% discounts.

Some food producers are also offering discounts.

Noodles maker Acecook Vietnam has cut the prices of two of its best-selling products by 6% and 11%.

Vissan, which sells fresh meats and processed foods, is offering 10-20% discounts.