As Christmas comes closer, multiple flower stores in Ho Chi Minh City have been lighted up with festive decoration items, including evergreens widely bought to be turned into colorful Christmas trees.

The local market has seen surging demands for both “real” Christmas trees and artificial ones made from plastic, which can be found at markets, souvenir shops or online stores.

A number of customers, especially young people, have flocked to local flower shops and gardens where sell evergreens like lemon cypresses, cedars and firs to pick up some and deck the halls.

Lemon cypresses carrying Christmas decoration style are sold at a flower shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

According to Tuoi Tre News’ observations at a flower shop on Hai Ba Trung Street in District 3, cypresses and cedars fetch from VND149,000 (US$7) to VND1.5 million (US$65) each depending on their sizes.

The evergreens are available in various shapes, with the smallest often used for table decorations.

The prices would range between VND300,000 ($13) and VND3 million ($129) if the trees are decorated with ornaments.

Tran Thi Huyen, manager of the shop, said her place has become busy since mid-November, with most of the purchase orders made online.

“Our customers normally choose fully decorated trees and all they need to do for Christmas tree celebration is to turn the lights on,” Huyen said.

A lemon cypress decorated with Christmas ornaments is sold at a flower shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

Thanh Tu, a resident in District 3, shared she learned about using cypresses for Christmas decorations while surfing the Internet and decided to pick one to make her desk look more festive.

“It costs a bit higher (than the plastic trees) but I can continue growing this tree after Christmas,” she said.

“It’s an eco-friendly choice. Now, I can add a little bit of green to my working space,” she added.

Meanwhile, a shop on District 3’s Vo Thi Sau Street prepared for the festive season with 200 noble fir trees imported from the U.S.

The store also displays fir branches and some other types of evergreens, offering its customers various options for Christmas decorations.

Noble fir branches are shaped into a Christmas tree at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

According to Vu Hong Hanh, manager of the store, her imported firs are normally 1m to 2.5m in height and fetch around VND4.9 million ($212) to VND18 million ($779) each.

Customers who want their trees pre-decorated will pay an extra amount of VND1 million ($43) to VND10 million ($432).

Vu Hong Hanh, manager of a shop on District 3’s Vo Thi Sau Street, is preparing a noble fir imported from the U.S. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

An angel ornament is seen on a noble fir at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

Evergreens are sold at a flower shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

Christmas ornaments are sold at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

Staff Le Hong Nhien is decorating a lemon cypress at her flower shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

Poinsettia is also a favorite in the holiday season, with fully decorated ones fetching from around VND189,000 ($8) each in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

A Christmas tree made from tree barks is sold at VND5 million ($216) at a shop in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 3. Photo: Ngoc Phuong/ Tuoi Tre News

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!