VietNamNet Bridge – Hunting for discount coupons as Tet presents to parents and relatives has become in fashion among office workers in the context of high inflation, which has people to fasten their belt.

While her colleagues take time to drop into different shops to purchase goods as Tet presents for relatives, Canh Hien, an officer of a pharmacy company, remains “unruffled.” Hien spends her lunchtime to surf on Internet: she is trying to hunt for discount coupons to give parents and fiends as Tet presents.

Hien said that she has spent the whole salary for December already, while she still has not got Tet bonus. Therefore, instead of buying wines and sweets, she has been hunting for discount coupons, which she believes still could be good presents.

“In previous years, I had to spend a lot of time to go to some shops to order Tet gifts. In general, I had to spend about 10 million dong for the gifts. Meanwhile, with the discount coupons, I would have to spend 5 million dong only,” Hien said.

“Since my parents and relatives all live in Hanoi, it would be very comfortable for them to go shopping, while my parents would have the opportunity to go shopping together,” she added.

After one week of hunting for discount coupons, both Hien and her husband have “collected” more 10 coupons, including the ones for meals, tours, home appliances and goods.

The discount coupons which office workers most want are the ones for meals, especially the sets for hot pots, buffets, and the coupons for tours with the discount rates of 20-30 percent.

It seems that northern people now very like the tours to the sea city of Nha Trang or to the south in order to avoid the cold weather.

Nguyen Nam, an office worker on Trung Kinh street Hanoi, said that he has successfully obtained five discount coupons since the beginning of the month, including two for restaurants parties, two for winter clothes and one for a tour to the south.

Nam said that one should be very quick and patient to hunt for the discount coupons. Over the last month, before the working shift begins in the morning, Nam takes time to surf on Internet to seek information about discount coupons. He also spends less time chatting with friends on the lunchtime to surf on Internet. Especially, before leaving the office, he tries to “update” information once more.

“I had to cool my heels for the last couple of weeks to obtain the five coupons,” he said. Though there are many discount coupons offered on Internet, he has to choose the most suitable for them and relatives.

“I feel excited with the tour to Nha Trang City. I have to spend 6 million dong only thanks to the discount rate of 30 percent. I have been dreaming of a trip to Nha Trang for a long time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thu Thao, an officer of a real estate trade floor, said that since the real estate market was gloomy in 2011, she dares not spend too much money like in the previous year.

Thao plans to buy some sweets which she would give to relatives when she returns to the home village to celebrate with parents. In general, a basket of Tet gift is priced at 300,000-500,000 dong, while the basket with more luxurious gifts would be valued 1 million dong. Meanwhile, with discount coupons, one could save 30 percent. Besides, she would give some coupons for spa services to some friends who live in Hanoi.

“My friends like beauty services. Therefore, spa services would be the most suitable presents,” she said.

Anh Minh