The days near Tan Suu Lunar New Year and the Covid-19 reappeared at the end of January in some localities with complicated evolvement that directly affected commercial and service activities of the country. With the spirit and psychology of preventing and combating pandemics, avoiding crowded places in commercial centers, supermarkets, and local markets, the revenue of commerce and services in February decreased compared to the previous month. In addition, people’s income in 2020 was affected by impacts of Covid-19 pandemic, at the same time, due to the fear of pandemics, activities of eating, parties, entertainment at crowd places are restricted. Gross retail sales of consumer goods and services in February were estimated at 439.7 trillion VND, down by 5.4% over that in the previous month and up by 8.2% over that in the same period last year
Market price situation and price stabilization measures before, during and after the Tan Suu Lunar New Year in 2021, basically, the whole country ensures an abundant supply of goods, at reasonable and stable prices. Business establishments have well basically executed the listing prices and sold them at the listed prices. The supply of food products, foodstuffs at supermarkets, convenience stores, and local markets is relatively adequate. Abundant goods, diversified types, beautiful designs, goods circulate throughout the country, especially to actively prepare source of goods in localities affected by storms, floods and natural disasters by 2020 and promptly supplying goods in localities affected by Covid-19 outbreaks again. Large supermarkets and commercial centers continue to be attractive places for consumers by creating peace of mind for buyers about the origin, origin, brand, as well as food hygiene and safety standards prices are stable according to local market stabilization programs. At the same time, the inspection and supervision of counterfeit goods, poor quality goods, and price listing in traditional markets has been strengthened, ensuring goods for people.
The quantity of goods in Tan Suu Tet Holiday is plentiful, ensuring the supply to consumers. Supermarkets, shopping malls, and convenience stores have had promotions and discounts on the occasion of Tet with the aim of stimulating consumer demand in the context of declining income and Covid-19 pandemic with complicated evovlement but the number of visitors coming to shop this year is quite low. However, due to the influence of Covid-19 pandemic, the buying method has also changed a lot, the forms of online shopping and home delivery have been promoted to support people to shop, and at the same time improve revenue of business units.
Retail sales of goods in February 2021 were estimated 354.5 trillion VND, down by 3.5% over the previous month and up by 10.5% over the same period last year. Food, accommodation and travel businesses continue to be severely affected by Covid-19 pandemic. Revenue from accommodation and catering services revenue in February 2021 was estimated at 41.5 trillion VND, down by 11.5% over the previous month and down by 0.1% over the same period last year; Revenue from tourism and traveling services was estimated at 915 billion, down by 40.8% and by 60.8%; other service revenue reached by 42.7 trillion dong, down by 12.6% and up by 2.7%.