Moon Cake Madness: Online Markets Engage in Fierce Price War for Lunar Treats

Moon Cakes on Sale: Discounts of Up to 70% After Mid-Autumn Festival

Following the Mid-Autumn Festival, numerous social media posts have emerged offering moon cakes at significantly discounted prices, with some as low as 19,000 VND per piece.

Many social media accounts are selling moon cakes that remain valid until the end of September or October at a loss, with prices reduced by 30-70% compared to just a few days before the 15th of August (September 17).

One account, Phuong Nguyen, posted an offer selling Kinh Do brand mooncakes weighing 150gr – 180gr for only 35,000 VND per piece. This represents a substantial discount from the original price of 95,000 VND per cake.

Rosepie brand mooncakes are also being sold at a 70% discount, with a combo of 5 cakes available for 125,000 VND. Customers purchasing 10 cakes can enjoy an even lower price of 220,000 VND, equivalent to 22,000 VND per cake.

Maison brand mooncakes are being sold for 189,000 VND per 10 pieces, while Madam Huong mooncakes are on clearance for 200,000 VND per 6 pieces.

In addition to branded mooncakes, handmade mooncakes are also being liquidated at discounted prices, ranging from 9,000 VND to 20,000 VND per piece.

Ms. Vu Minh Quynh, a resident of Dong Da district in Hanoi, posted on social media to liquidate over 100 moon cakes of various types. According to Ms. Quynh, she and a friend had invested in importing moon cakes to sell during the Mid-Autumn Festival, hoping to earn a profit. Having recovered their initial investment, they are now selling the remaining cakes at a low price to minimize losses.

Ms. Quynh explained, “There aren’t many cakes left, and if we keep the price low, there won’t be any customers. My friend and I decided to liquidate and sell at any price to quickly sell out and summarize the income this Mid-Autumn Festival season.”

Similarly, Ms. Tran Thu Trang, a resident of Ba Dinh district in Hanoi, advertised a batch of Maison moon cakes for sale at a price reduced by 70% compared to a few days before the full moon of August.

Ms. Trang attributed the slow sales to the continuous storms and rain in the North, which have decreased demand for moon cakes. She had imported 500 Maison cakes to sell but still has nearly 200 left. With the shelf life of these cakes expiring soon, she is forced to sell them at a loss to recover her capital.

Ms. Trang commented, “This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival does not have the same atmosphere as every year due to the complicated storms and rains. I have to accept selling the cakes at a loss, below cost price, in the hope of recovering the capital. In the coming days, the price of cakes may decrease further.”

Not only on online markets, but also on the streets of Hanoi, many cake stalls are still open and offering deep discounts to attract customers. On streets such as My Dinh, Thanh Nhan, Giang Vo, and Truong Dinh, mobile cake stalls are present, with most displaying signs reading “Big sale,” “50% discount,” and “Moon cakes discounted 25k – 35k.”

On Thanh Nhan Street (Hai Ba Trung District), a cake stall with a large sign reading “High-end mooncakes on sale” attracts many passersby, although not many customers. The cheapest cakes here are sold for 15,000 – 20,000 VND per piece, while high-end branded cakes are discounted by 50 – 70%, available for 25,000 – 35,000 VND per piece.

According to the store staff, the cakes are purchased from major brands and have full labels and expiration dates, ensuring customers of their quality.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hai, a resident of Cau Giay District in Hanoi, recently purchased 2 boxes of 4 moon cakes from a seller on social media for only 150,000 VND, significantly cheaper than the previous days.

Ms. Hai explained that the price of moon cakes this year is quite high, making it difficult for her to afford many. Seeing the discounted prices on social media, she bought 8 cakes with 3 different flavors to enjoy with her family.

According to a moon cake sales employee, unsold products will be bought back by the company and sorted into different types of fillings and crusts to make various cakes and pastries. Expired or near-expired products will be collected and used as animal feed.