Accompanying the delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade were Nguyen Thuy Hien, Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Management and Development Authority; Nguyen The Huu, Deputy Director of the Electricity Authority of Vietnam and Ngo Quang Long, Deputy Chief of the Ministry’s Office.

The delegation worked with the Phu Tho Department of Industry and Trade. Representing the province were Phung Thi Kim Nga, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Tran Quang Tuan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade and representatives of electricity and fuel suppliers operating in the locality.

Ensuring essential goods for the Lunar New Year

At the meeting, Dang Viet Phuong, Deputy Director of the Phu Tho Department of Industry and Trade, reported that under the two-tier local government model, the new Phu Tho province has been formed through the merger of Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho provinces.

Currently, the province has 29 supermarkets, eight shopping centers, 381 traditional markets, three petroleum wholesalers, 11 petroleum distributors, 599 retail fuel outlets, four petroleum depots with a total capacity of 33.750 cubic meters, and 17 gas trading enterprises.

The goods and services market ahead of the Lunar New Year has remained generally stable. At supermarkets, shopping centers and major distribution points, sales volumes at peak times have risen to nearly double normal levels (averaging a 130% increase), mainly for essential consumer goods such as rice, vermicelli, instant noodles, canned food, sausages, fish sauce, salt, seasoning, cooking oil, peanuts, sesame, beans, toilet paper, cleaning products and fresh produce.

However, prices have not seen significant fluctuations. Many outlets continue to implement promotional and discount programs to support consumers. A similar situation has been observed at grocery stores, agents and traditional markets, where residents have been purchasing in larger quantities, particularly fresh meat (pork, chicken and beef), dried foods and other essential items. Rice and instant noodle prices have edged up slightly, while fresh meat, vegetables and other essential goods have largely remained stable.

At traditional markets, trading activities have become more vibrant than at other times of the year due to heightened demand for the Lunar New Year. Essential goods, including foodstuffs, confectionery and consumer items, are abundant and fully meet residents’ needs. Although African swine fever has been reported sporadically in some localities, it remains under control and has not significantly affected pork supply. Overall prices are stable, with only minor, localized increases at certain times and no signs of shortages or unusual volatility.

Supermarkets and shopping centers have also recorded brisk trading, with abundant supplies and stable prices. Promotional programs remain in place to support shoppers.

Consumer demand has begun to pick up for fresh food, processed food, beverages, cakes, jams, confectionery, seeds and nuts, as well as interior decorations. This year, consumers are increasingly favoring well-designed, high-quality, branded products with established reputations. Goods prepared for the Lunar New Year are relatively plentiful, diverse in design and variety, and generally of assured quality, meeting residents’ shopping and consumption needs.

Regarding petroleum and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), supply is fundamentally guaranteed, with prices remaining stable thanks to state management and coordination with major suppliers such as Petrolimex, PVOil and Hai Linh. There have been no cases of hoarding, speculation or unlawful price hikes. Fuel stations are operating normally and selling at listed prices. Market inspection and supervision have been maintained on a regular basis to ensure stability.

Strengthening market stabilization before, during and after the Lunar New Year

Dang Viet Phuong added that, in line with Directive No. 18/CT-BCT dated November 25, 2025 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on measures to ensure supply-demand balance and market stabilization at year-end 2025 and during the Lunar New Year 2026, the department proactively issued Plan No. 2422/KH-SCT dated December 15, 2025 to implement relevant solutions in the province.

The department also issued Official Letter No. 2436/SCT-QLTM dated December 15, 2025 on ensuring petroleum supply at year-end 2025 and during the Lunar New Year 2026, instructing petroleum traders to develop supply plans. Other documents included Official Letter No. 49/SCT-QLTM dated January 7, 2026 on strengthening market management for tobacco products, and Official Letter No. 55/SCT-QLTM dated January 7, 2026 on enhancing fire prevention and compliance in fuel and gas trading activities.

All communes and wards across the province have implemented market stabilization measures and stepped up inspection and supervision. Business households have been encouraged to sign commitments not to trade in smuggled, counterfeit, imitation or substandard goods, or products of unknown origin, thereby protecting the legitimate rights and interests of producers and consumers and contributing to price stability during the holiday period.

For the Lunar New Year, 10 enterprises have committed to participating in the price stabilization program with total resources of more than VND229 billion. The program covers nine groups of goods: staple foods (including rice and instant noodles), fresh and processed food, cooking oil, sauces, monosodium glutamate, dairy products, domestically produced alcoholic beverages (excluding imported spirits), beer and soft drinks. In addition, small retailers and household businesses have actively stockpiled essential goods to meet demand, contributing to market stability at year-end and during the Lunar New Year.

Ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during the Lunar New Year

Regarding electricity supply before, during and after the Lunar New Year, the Department of Industry and Trade has required Phu Tho Power Company and local electricity retailers to develop detailed supply plans for the 2026 holiday period.

Key priorities include ensuring continuous and safe power supply in all circumstances; preparing personnel and materials to promptly address incidents; strengthening fire prevention and safety communication in public places, residential areas and entertainment venues; and coordinating closely with local authorities and units to ensure stable supply throughout the holiday.

The department has also issued directives to enhance fire prevention and safety management in electricity use, transmission, distribution and retail activities.

Phu Tho Power Company and local electricity retailers have been instructed to mobilize maximum resources and coordinate with relevant authorities to “go to every alley and knock on every door” to raise public awareness about safe electricity use and fire prevention. Violations will be strictly handled, including suspension or reduction of electricity supply in cases where customers fail to meet contractual conditions or use electricity unsafely or for improper purposes.

The department has established an inspection team led by a Deputy Director to review electricity supply arrangements for the Lunar New Year, working directly with Phu Tho Power Company, regional power units and retail electricity providers.

No shortages of goods, fuel or electricity, heightened focus on safety

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasized that preparations for 2025, particularly before, during and after the Lunar New Year, had been implemented relatively comprehensively.

“This has helped ensure people’s needs are met and the market remains stable. I acknowledge and commend the efforts of the Department of Industry and Trade and the province in market management. These results have made an important contribution to stability and laid a foundation for local growth,” he noted.

The Deputy Minister also urged continued attention to safety during the holiday period.

He noted that the Ministry’s leadership has been assigned to work with multiple localities, with the Minister and other leaders closely monitoring, urging and supporting the resolution of difficulties, particularly in the industry and trade sector.

“From today’s report, it is clear that arising issues have been addressed, which is very positive. However, I urge the province and the department to continue focusing on ensuring that after the holiday the market remains safe and supply remains sufficient. If difficulties exceed the department’s authority, they should be promptly reported to the province; if beyond provincial authority, they should be reported to the Ministry for handling. The highest priority is to ensure adequate supply of goods, especially fuel, so that people can celebrate the Lunar New Year fully and safely,” he stressed.

On behalf of the province, Phung Thi Kim Nga expressed appreciation to the Ministry’s leaders and the delegation for arranging time to work with Phu Tho despite the busy pre-holiday schedule, enabling timely guidance and support for the province in ensuring goods, electricity and fuel supply.

She underscored that the performance of the industry and trade sector plays a crucial role in the province’s socio-economic growth. Stability in the sector underpins overall stability and enables breakthroughs in line with the targets set by the Provincial Party Congress for the 2025 - 2030 term.

Despite initial challenges in reorganizing the administrative apparatus in accordance with central and government directives, the merger has opened up new development space for the province. With determination, the locality has achieved positive results, including strong economic growth and budget revenue exceeding targets. Social welfare policies, particularly during the Lunar New Year, have been implemented with the participation of the entire political system and the business community to ensure residents enjoy a warm and fulfilling holiday.

Regarding market management and fuel supply, the province has issued multiple directives, launched peak campaigns and established inspection teams, with provincial leaders directly involved in monitoring and resolving emerging issues.

“Today’s inspection by the Ministry will be fully and seriously received. Any further guidance arising from the inspection will be promptly reviewed and implemented by the department and relevant units,” she affirmed.

The Phu Tho Department of Industry and Trade has also advised the provincial Steering Committee 389 to establish a task force to inspect, urge and supervise the implementation of market stabilization measures and the peak campaign against smuggling and trade fraud before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2026.