Christmas atmosphere darkened by Covid-19 pandemic

Hotels, restaurants and families are spending less money on Christmas decorations this year and many have not kicked off their decoration plans.

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“Christmas plans are going very slowly. I’m afraid that many people may not organize a Christmas party this year,” said the owner of Dong Quang, a home decorative shop in district 5 in HCM City.

Luxury hotels usually change their decorations every year, using different concepts and colors. However, many restaurants and hotels are expected to use their old decor this year to save money.

The shop owner said in previous years, luxury hotels spent VND50-70 million on Christmas decorations. Apartment buildings, companies, hotels, restaurants and car garages have delayed decorations this year.

Many shops on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, a well-known street with a row of decorative shops, are closed and have stopped operation.

Ken, the owner of MiMi, a decorative shop in district 5, told VietNamNet that wholesale volume is just 50 percent of previous years. Retailers dare not order a large amount of products as they fear they may go unsold due to low demand.

An imported fresh pine branch is priced at VND 250,000-290,000, while a small-sized tree costs VND 2-10 million.

Ken, who has been doing business for 10 years, said hotels and restaurants have experienced a very tough year and won’t spend much money on decoration.

He predicted that some restaurants and hotels may reuse the decorations they bought in previous years, which will affect sales at decor shops.

Mai Thuy, a housewife in district 3, said she bought Christmas decorations one month in advance for fear that the prices may rise on the days before Christmas.

Hoang Hai in district 10 bought Christmas trees in November. He spent VND850,000 on decorations instead of VND1.5 million as he did in 2020.

Dinh Gia Thien Sanh, the owner of Loc Uyen ornamental tree garden in district 7, said he and others are ‘selling while listening to the news’. They dare not take on too many trees for fear of low sales. He had 300-400 trees available in his garden in previous years, but now has only 20 trees and will take more goods only after he sells the trees.

Sanh believes that families will still spend money to decorate homes as Christmas is a special occasion and everyone wants to have cosy atmosphere in their homes this Christmas season. However, they will spend less, choosing smaller Christmas trees.

Tran Chung