The market is flooded with so-called energy-saving devices priced from a few dollars to over twenty. Promoted with bold promises such as reducing electricity bills by 20-50%, many also offer enticing warranties or money-back guarantees if they don’t perform.

Exaggerated claims of power-saving devices revealed

But real-world use paints a different picture. According to Tri Thuc & Cuoc Song, numerous customers have exposed these devices as ineffective, with functions far from their advertised claims.

Minh Chien from Thanh Tri, Hanoi, shared that he purchased a device for 500,000 VND (about $20) expecting to save 40% on his electricity bill. After testing it for an hour, the power meter showed no difference - no savings at all.

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has issued warnings about such products, including so-called super energy-saving devices and smart power-saving cards sold online, stating that they are ineffective and lack validation from credible energy-efficiency authorities.

Suspiciously cheap bird’s nest jars stir consumer concern

Videos and livestreams advertising bargain bird’s nest deals have gone viral recently. According to Arttimes, for just a few hundred thousand VND, buyers can get dozens of 70ml jars of pre-cooked bird’s nest - some costing only 13,000 to 25,000 VND per jar (roughly $0.50–$1).

Sellers insist the product has been lab-tested and contains 35% genuine bird’s nest, vowing quality assurance.

Still, many consumers remain skeptical. Industry insiders assert that even from production to retail, it’s impossible to sell a jar containing 35% genuine bird’s nest at under 30,000 VND - let alone for just 13,000 VND.

High-quality Vietnamese bird’s nest products are expensive and niche, while cheaper industrial versions often use what’s referred to as “imported nest waste,” material typically used to lure and retain swiftlets in farms.

Standard Vietnamese raw bird’s nest costs over 2 million VND (about $79) per 10 grams, and the cleaned version goes for more than 3 million VND ($118) per 10 grams.

iPhone 16e sees price drop despite recent launch

Apple’s latest release in Vietnam, the iPhone 16e, has already seen a price cut just over two months since launch.

According to Phu Nu So, prices have dropped an additional 300,000–500,000 VND ($12–$20), bringing the base version below the 16 million VND ($630) mark. With promotional discounts, it can now be purchased for as low as 15.7 million VND ($618), about 1.3 million VND ($51) less than its original launch price.

Despite the price drop, major Vietnamese retailers report that the iPhone 16e remains less attractive compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 15, in the same price segment.

Giant mangoes drop to 3,000 VND/kg amid export woes

Farmers growing Australian mangoes in Cam Lam District, Khanh Hoa Province are distressed as thousands of tons of ripe fruit go unsold during harvest season.

Dinh Van Minh, a 68-year-old grower in Cam Hoa commune, shared that although his mangoes are ripe and ready, traders only offered 2,000–3,000 VND per kilogram ($0.08–$0.12) - a price far below production costs.

Australian mangoes were mainly exported to China, but recent trade stagnation has blocked this route. Meanwhile, domestic consumption remains sluggish, focused mostly in the southern provinces.

Thai jackfruit prices plunge, Mekong farmers incur losses

Prices for Thai jackfruit have also dropped sharply. According to Tuoi Tre, in Ben Tre and neighboring Tien Giang (Cai Lay, Cai Be), jackfruit now sells for just 4,000–6,000 VND/kg ($0.16–$0.24), compared to 22,000 VND/kg a month ago.

Nguyen Van Thang from Ben Tre explained that unlike in previous years, traders now only buy perfect fruits - round, heavy, and unblemished - while discarding or underpricing fruits with minor flaws.

Traders attribute the price drop to a peak harvest season coinciding with weak market demand.

Surprising airfare deals despite summer peak

Despite being close to peak travel season, many domestic flight routes remain reasonably priced, according to Thanh Nien.

One of the most popular routes, Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang, still offers tickets under 1 million VND ($39) on Vietravel Airlines for May 24. On the same day, Vietjet offers multiple flights priced around 1.1–1.2 million VND ($43–$47).

Other routes like HCMC - Hanoi, Hanoi - Da Nang, and Hanoi - Nha Trang also offer a wide range of time slots and ticket tiers to suit travelers’ budgets.

Hanh Nguyen