Vietnam: Green vegetables and many items increase in price

The article reports a significant increase in the prices of vegetables and fruits in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding areas of Vietnam, due to increased production costs and the scarce supply of goods. Small traders are hiking up the prices of tomatoes, lettuce, and spinach by 5,000-7,000 VND/kg, and green lolo lettuce and Da Lat bell pepper by as much as 17,000-23,000 VND/kg, respectively. The price hike is attributed to the reopening of vegetable gathering points in Ho Chi Minh City, which has led to an influx of imports from the Lam Dong province. Despite these increases, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade assures consumers that there will be no product shortage, as the supply is expected to diversify by year-end. To offset the price surge, supermarkets, trade centers, and traditional markets are keeping prices stable, and shopping stimulus programs have been launched to provide more affordable options for consumers during the New Year's Eve and the 2022 Lunar New Year.