Snakehead fish, shrimp and crab increase up to 50% on God of Wealth day

From the early morning of the 10th day of the first lunar month (February 26), traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City such as Xom Moi (An Hoi Dong ward), Tan Dinh (Tan Dinh ward), Pham Van Hai (Tan Son Hoa ward) are crowded with people buying offerings to the God of Wealth.

At Xom Moi market, grilled snakehead fish of 400 grams each was sold for 120,000 VND, equivalent to 300,000 VND per kg, up 50% compared to normal days and 20% higher than the same period last year. Giant freshwater prawns of 10 pieces per kilogram increased to 500,000 VND, or 50,000 VND per piece. Mud crab meat of 350-500 grams ranges from 550,000 to 650,000 VND per kilogram, up about 30% compared to normal days and moving sideways compared to the same period in 2025.

The price of roasted pig is now also 350,000-400,000 VND per kg (depending on the stall), an increase of about 30% compared to last year.

Not only food, gerbera flowers – a popular item in offering trays, also increased in price. On weekdays, flowers are sold in bunches of 5-10 flowers, about 5,000 VND per flower. On the occasion of the God of Wealth, small traders retail 15,000-20,000 VND per flower, about 20% higher than the same period.

According to calculations by small traders, a popular tray of grilled snakehead fish, roasted pork, shrimp, crab and flowers currently ranges from 500,000 VND to 1 million VND, an increase of about 150,000 VND compared to last year.

Small traders at Pham Van Hai market said the supply of shrimp and crab this year decreased by about 15% over the same period, while the prices of snakehead fish and pork on weekdays have set a higher level than last year. Abundant aviation supplies in the context of increased demand cause peak selling prices to continue to increase.

Data from Binh Dien wholesale market shows that in the last two days, the amount of fish imported to the market reached several hundred tons, down 5-15% compared to the same period in 2025. The price of live snakehead fish only increased slightly by a few thousand dong per kilogram, but grilled snakehead fish increased sharply due to added loss and processing costs.

According to records, many grilled snakehead fish and seafood stalls sell out earlier than usual. Purchasing power this year increased slightly thanks to positive spending sentiment at the beginning of the year, but people tend to balance their budget and flexibly adjust the structure of offerings.

Ms. Hang, living in An Hoi Dong ward, said that this year’s holiday shopping expenses increased by about 15% over the same period despite the family’s proactive reduction. Her family reduced the amount of roasted pork and switched to choosing fish and seafood with moderate portions.

Besides food, this year’s gold market is less exciting as prices adjust to a slight decrease instead of a sharp increase like previous years.

On the morning of February 26, SJC listed gold bars at 182-185 million VND per tael, down 300,000 VND compared to the end of the previous session. 24K plain gold rings at businesses trade around 181.8-185 million VND per tael.

Price movements show that people still maintain the habit of shopping on the occasion of the God of Wealth. However, in the context of high food prices, the trend of budget balance is more evident than in previous years.