The tech community and Apple fans are abuzz over the rare price cuts for the iPhone 16 Pro Max this January. While new devices remain popular, the used phone market - especially for this model - is drawing considerable attention thanks to its aggressively competitive pricing.

According to quick reports from Life & Law Newspaper at major retail chains, the 256GB used iPhone 16 Pro Max currently sells for between $880 and $1,080 depending on its physical condition and warranty coverage.

Devices rated “Like New” (99% condition) are typically priced from $980 to $1,050. Units with minor scratches or expired warranties can be found starting at just over $880. For buyers who want high-end performance without paying full price, these deals are seen as a major opportunity.

Egg prices remain high for consumers despite drop at farms

For more than a month, egg prices at poultry farms have plummeted, but retail prices have shown little change - leaving consumers at a disadvantage.

According to The Laborer Newspaper, egg prices began dropping significantly in early December 2025. Now, farmgate prices have returned to 2024 levels, between $0.065 and $0.072 per egg. This drop has erased profits for farmers, and in some cases, led to losses.

Meanwhile, retail prices remain high, commonly ranging from $0.14 to $0.16 per egg.

Lam Thuy Ai, who operates a farm with nearly 300,000 laying hens in Xuan My commune, Lam Dong province, said continuous price drops have made business difficult. Traders have also been pressuring farmers to lower prices further, often reducing payments by $0.004–0.008 per egg.

Tet airfare selling out fast - return tickets scarce until the 10th day

Despite airlines adding flights and night routes, airfares for popular Tết routes are rapidly selling out - especially return flights to Ho Chi Minh City after the holiday. On some routes, tickets have sold out for days at a time, with round-trip fares nearing $400.

Among the busiest routes is the round-trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa.

According to VietNamNet, Vietjet Air has sold out of outbound flights between February 11–16 (the 24th–28th of the lunar month). Return flights from Thanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City are also unavailable from the 4th to 9th day of the lunar new year. A round-trip ticket during peak dates now costs around $346 including taxes and fees.

Bamboo Airways also reports full bookings for return flights well into the first week after Tet.

At Vietnam Airlines, Tet flights for this route are tight from the 23rd of the lunar month through the 10th day of the new year, with many dates already marked as sold out in both directions.

Dien pomelos sold on Hanoi sidewalks for just $0.08 each

As harvest season peaks, Dien pomelo prices are falling sharply due to a surge in supply. In Hanoi, vendors are now selling full bags of 50–60 pomelos directly on sidewalks for just $4, making each fruit cost about $0.08 - virtually a giveaway.

However, sellers admit these are not premium Dien pomelos. Instead, the fruit comes from areas surrounding Hanoi, not the original Dien region.

Traders explain the price drop is largely due to a bumper crop this season. As the fruit has ripened fully, farmers are harvesting early to prepare trees for the next flowering season. This has created a glut in the market, pushing prices far below previous years.

Off-season dragon fruit commands high price as demand rises

As the Tet holiday nears, the market for off-season dragon fruit is heating up, with high prices holding steady thanks to limited supply and strong demand.

In the southeastern part of Lam Dong province, export-grade dragon fruit weighing 0.77 pounds or more is being bought by traders at $0.98–$1.06 per kilogram at the farm gate. This price has remained stable for over a week and is significantly higher than the same time last year.

Local traders say the price hike is due to low supply amid rising end-of-year demand, especially for exports. Off-season dragon fruit is favored for its consistent size and attractive appearance.

However, they also caution that once the next batch ripens - expected between the 8th and 15th of the lunar month - supply will rise. This could cause prices to fluctuate depending on demand, though prices are expected to stay healthy if export conditions remain favorable.

Durian prices soar ahead of Tet

Durian farmers in Dong Thap province are celebrating as the fruit fetches high prices ahead of the lunar new year. Orchards harvesting now are seeing strong profits.

According to VOV, fruit companies in Dong Thap are purchasing top-grade Monthong durians at warehouse prices of $4.30–$4.51 per kilogram. At the farm, prices are about $3.70 per kilogram. Ri6 durians are selling for over $3 per kilogram at warehouses, and about $2.15–$2.24 per kilogram at farms.

At these rates, farmers are earning profits of nearly $2 per kilogram for Monthong and about $1.20 per kilogram for Ri6, depending on quality.

The price increase is driven by rising demand from China during the Tet season. Meanwhile, in neighboring Tien Giang province, very few orchards are ready for harvest, creating a supply shortfall. Durian prices are expected to continue climbing through the holiday period.

Hanh Nguyen