As the Lunar New Year (Tet) approaches, the market becomes more vibrant than ever. In Hoa Binh province, preparations for Tet have been bustling since the 20th of the last lunar month, with an abundant supply of goods to meet the growing consumer demand.

The inter-agency inspection team strengthens coordination to control the market
during the Lunar New Year 2025.
Essential
Tet goods such as rice, banh chung (square glutinous rice cake), pork, chicken,
fruits, sweets, and beverages are widely available at traditional markets,
supermarkets, and convenience stores. Local specialties like Cao Phong orange,
leaf-fermented wine, and Lac Son free-range chicken continue to be favourites
for many.
Nguyen
Thi Mai, a vendor at Nghia Phuong market, said this year’s supply is abundant,
and prices haven’t changed much compared to last year. Supermarkets in the area
have also prepared well-stocked inventory with publicised prices, making
shopping more convenient for consumers. A representative from "Vi hoa
binh" (For peace) supermarket said they prioritises safe products with
clear origin, especially high-quality Vietnamese goods, to best serve the
shopping needs of the people.
In
response to the rising Tet shopping demand, authorities have stepped up efforts
to monitor and inspect product quality, particularly food items. The market
management team has been working with relevant agencies to inspect business
establishments and strictly penalize those selling counterfeit or substandard
products.
Deputy
Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade said the department
has developed specific plans to ensure the Tet market is managed properly,
preventing speculation and unjustified price hikes while protecting consumer
rights. Businesses have been encouraged to expand their distribution networks
to remote areas and participate in market stabilisation programmes with commitments
to maintain stable prices.
For
the Lunar New Year 2025, five businesses in the province have pledged to
stabilise prices with a total commitment of over 38.7 billion VND (over 1.54
million USD).
The
department has collaborated with local authorities to monitor the market,
particularly essential items, and to prevent supply shortages, disruptions, or
sudden price increases. It is also working with local agencies to guide
businesses in promoting domestic market trade, organising Tet promotional
campaigns, and holding trade fairs. The local government also boosts the
"Vietnamese people prioritise using Vietnamese goods" campaign to
stimulate consumer demand and stabilise the market.
The festive spirit is not only evident at markets and supermarkets but
also in rural villages and residential areas. Colorful Tet flower stalls
selling peach blossoms, kumquat trees, chrysanthemums...
Dao Village’s honey – a product certified with a 3-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) rating by Thong Nhat Agricultural Cooperative in Dao Village (Hoa Binh City) – is highly regarded by consumers for its quality, richness, and variety in packaging. The distinctively sweet taste of Dao Village’s honey leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has tried it.
In alignment with Project No. 07-DA/TU, issued by the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee on November 1, 2021, Lac Thuy district has actively promoted investment and supported the sustainable development of its industrial and handicraft sectors during the 2021–2025 period. Alongside this, the district has remained committed to preserving and revitalising traditional craft villages.
Located in the northern part of Lac Thuy district, with a temperate climate and fertile soil, Phu Thanh commune has great potential and advantages in growing tea. The long-standing experience, combined with strict adherence to organic farming practices in the tea gardens, ensures that the dried tea products from Phu Thanh and Lac Thuy as a whole are sold out immediately upon production, providing a stable and prosperous life for the local people.
Amid efforts to streamline the administrative apparatus, Hoa Binh province has intensified measures to address challenges in land clearance, resettlement support, and infrastructure investment, aiming to speed up the progress of key projects.
Hoa Binh province has posted an unprecedented economic growth rate of 12.76% in the first quarter of 2025, marking its highest quarterly performance to date and positioning it as the second fastest-growing locality in the country, trailing only Bac Giang province.
Under current regulations, products in the One Commune – One Product (OCOP) programme that are rated three stars or higher must undergo re-evaluation every three months. However, in reality, some of these products fail to consistently meet the required standards, raising concerns about the sustainability of their OCOP certification. This underscores the urgent need for producers to enhance product quality and gradually develop their OCOP products into strong, marketable brands.