Vietnamese lovers, especially the younger generation, are flocking to department stores to buy Valentine’s Day confectionery and other special gifts for the valentine in their lives.
Chocolate makers, flower shops, and restaurants are also setting the cash tills ringing with a variety of traditional and novelty items for this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration.
Apart from the traditional gifts like chocolates, roses and postcards, many people are choosing to give a most cherished handmade gift to their partners.
During these days, gift shops and supermarket in many big cities like Hanoi and HCM City are filled to capacity with unique and novel gifts for those in love.
Thanks to 30-40%discounts, online sales for cosmetics, fashion, spa services, and food & drink coupons are soaring.
This year, imported green roses and gold-inlaid roses are replacing chocolate and red roses as the best sellers. A bunch of blue roses (10 roses) costs more than VND1-2 million (US$50-100), while a 24k gold-inlaid rose is sold at VND530,000 (over US$26).
In particular, an eye-catching special kind of rose with seven colors is attracting customers this Valentine’s Day. These flowers, mostly imported from the Netherlands, the UK, and Ecuador, are sold at varying prices, ranging between VND150,000-VND300,000 per flower.
This year’s Valentine’s Day can be seen celebrated in cozy atmospheres on almost every corner of the streets in the capital city in spite of the chilly weather.
Some photos taken in Hanoi on 2014 Valentines’ Day:
