Although there is only about 1 month left until the Mid-Autumn Festival, these days, stores selling toys, decorations, and cake stalls are all busy preparing to open early to serve consumers.

Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys "take over the airwaves"

These days on the streets of Hanoi, many stores selling Mid-Autumn toys for children have opened with a variety of types and colors.

Typically, Hang Ma Street (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi) has been colorfully decorated with traditional Mid-Autumn Festival toys and handmade toys such as star lanterns, spinning lanterns, drums, papier-mâché masks, and lanterns... Most of these toys are domestically produced at affordable prices and are safe, so they are the preferred choice of many people.

Many shops on Hang Ma Street sell toys and decorations for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo: Thai Manh

Traders on Hang Ma Street said that in recent years, customers have come to choose toys in large numbers and traditional packaged products are still more popular than in previous years, and are still the main products during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditional toy products are mostly handmade but the prices are not high, the prices compared to last year have not changed much, ranging from 20,000 VND - 100,000 VND/product.

Ms. Hoang Thi Hang (Cau Giay District, Hanoi) said that compared to last year, this year's toys and decorations are more diverse, such as electric lanterns, electric carp, lion heads, etc. Traditional products are not far behind when many designs are improved to become more eye-catching. The prices of the products are also stable and affordable, ranging from 100,000 - 200,000 VND/product, which can be purchased for children as well as as gifts for children. However, food items such as cakes and candies will still be more interested and have higher price fluctuations, so they are often purchased earlier than toys and decorations.

Traditional products have improvements in design and color. Photo: Thai Manh.

In the market this year, in addition to ready-made toys, many stores also provide materials for customers to make their own lanterns at home. Making a star lantern yourself with materials costing only 15,000 - 30,000 VND helps many people have an interesting experience.

Bakery brands start to join the game

This year's moon cake market has not changed much in terms of fillings and flavors, mainly using traditional fillings such as mixed, green beans, lotus seeds... and high-end fillings such as abalone, shark fin, bird's nest, lobster, Bat Buu crab... Most brands focus on changing the design and appearance along with collections according to certain themes, conveying many meaningful stories.

Mooncake shops have begun to appear on the streets of Hanoi. Photo: Thai Manh.

Because it was opened early, there were not many customers coming to buy. According to some sales staff, most brands increased their prices slightly by VND2,000-VND5,000/item in most segments from low-end to high-end.

According to some sales staff at the cake counters, the popular segment has prices ranging from 45,000 VND - 150,000 VND/single cake. The higher segment is designed in luxurious boxes aimed at high-end customers, with prices up to millions of VND/box.

The reason for the increase in cake prices is explained by the units as being due to the price of ingredients for making cakes this year being higher than last year.

In addition, moon cakes on online channels are also sold early with a variety of types, designs and many attractive promotions. Previously, moon cake buyers often saw long lines waiting for newly baked cakes, but now buying cakes has become easier, more convenient and time-saving.

Moon cakes are sold online. Photo: Thai Manh.

Ms. Nguyen Hoai Vi (Ha Dong District, Hanoi) said that traditional fillings are still popular. Especially, with online sales channels becoming a shopping trend today, there is no reason for people to go to the bakery and wait in line. Just stay at home, text or call and the cake will be delivered to your door.