A report Saturday said that purchases in Ha Noi have been increasing while the prices of some foods have also started to rise.

People queuing to buy gift packages for Ong Tao (Photo: SGGP)

Yesterday, on the eve of saying goodbye to the three kitchen guardians of each house, ‘Ong Tao’ (Kitchen Gods) before they go to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about events in each house over the past year (according to the legend), residents flocked to purchase gift packages for the guardians journey.
 
The demand for Ong Tao goods in Hanoi this year has risen sharply, which has helped push up prices. A gift package gift for Ong Tao can sell for VND30,000-50,000 ($1.7-2.9). Some expensive packages can be sold at more than VND100,000 ($5.8). 
 
Food prices have also increased. Poultry and beef have increased to VND80,000-90,000 ($4.6-5.2) per kilo and to VND120,000–130,000 ($6.9-7.5) per kilo respectively.