VietNamNet Bridge – The gift market is heating up as Valentine’s Day draws near. Shops are marketing innovative products for those in love.

Valentine’s Day, which is observed on February 14 every year, used to be celebrated solely in North America and Europe. However, it has become popular in most countries throughout the world now.

In Vietnam, young people enthusiastically celebrate the day and often give special gifts to their lovers.

A wide range of attractive and beautiful gifts have been available on the market since late January

Unique, expensive gifts in favour

This year, green roses are preferred by many young people though they are very expensive. A bunch of green roses (10-30 roses) costs between VND400,000-700,000. Magic green roses which can stay fresh for a month even cost VND240,000 each.

In addition, gold-inlaid roses have been selling like hotcakes in luxury markets. Most 24k gold-inlaid roses cost from VND700,000 to VND2 million each and are now sold out.

Another kind of rose is forecast to sell well is made from underwear. It looks like a rose at first sight but in fact it is underwear. Its price is quite reasonable. This is a unique and practical gift that a husband can give to his wife.

Customers like innovative products, such as illuminating pillows that can change colour and play music (around VND250,000 per each) or LED fan with “I Love U” words (VND120,000 each).

Others tend to choose utility and practical gifts such as jewelry, cosmetics and electronics to present to their sweethearts

Anh Thu from Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan district says she often presented chocolate and a card to her lover in previous years, but she plans to give him a bottle of perfume this year celebrating their wedding anniversary.

Sa Thanh from Hanoi’s Bach Mai district says he wants to choose a gift with high utility value so he will present his girlfriend a mobile phone.

Shops are launching many promotional campaigns during this occasion.

Flowers, chocolate no longer best-sellers

A8 area in Hanoi’s Ton That Tung Street, which is considered paradise of gifts for students, has not attracted as many customers as in previous years due to no changes in product designs.

The main gifts are decorated chocolate put in a glass bottle or a paper box selling for between VND60,000 and 250,000.

Mai Lan, a shop owner, says most customers have been buying souvenirs or small candy or chocolate bottles at very reasonable prices. However, the number of customers is not as crowded as in previous years.

Dieu My from Hanoi’s Kham Thien Street, says she often gives chocolate to her boyfriend but this year she wants to find something unusual.

The rose is the traditional Valentine’s Day gift and flowers prices have been quite stable. Roses are VND5,000-10,000 each while lilies are VND40,000-80,000 a branch.

Source: VOV