A market survey in Hanoi shows prices continue to rise steeply. At Dai Tu Market in Dinh Cong, morning glory is selling for 30,000 VND per bundle (USD 1.20), mustard greens for 18,000 VND (USD 0.73), amaranth and Malabar spinach for 20,000 VND (USD 0.81), Chinese cabbage for 50,000 VND/kg (USD 2), kohlrabi at 20,000 VND each (USD 0.81), tomatoes at 70,000 VND/kg (USD 2.85), scallions at 65,000 VND/kg (USD 2.65), and both wax gourds and bottle gourds at 50,000 VND/kg (USD 2).

Coriander and Vietnamese parsley range between 100,000 and 120,000 VND/kg (USD 4–4.90).

On online markets, seller Chu Thi Lanh lists napa cabbage at 45,000 VND/kg (USD 1.83), Brussels sprouts at 55,000 VND/kg (USD 2.24), carrots at 40,000 VND/kg (USD 1.63), white radishes at 50,000 VND/kg (USD 2), and tomatoes again at 70,000 VND/kg.

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In Hanoi’s traditional markets, housewives are shocked by the skyrocketing prices of leafy greens. Photo: Tam An

Notably, Lanh’s seasoning herbs are priced even higher. Purple coriander is selling for up to 180,000 VND/kg (USD 7.30), while Vietnamese coriander and mint are each priced at 130,000 VND/kg (USD 5.30).

“Vegetables are scarce, so prices are up sharply. Add in the shipping costs from Son La to Hanoi, and it’s even more expensive,” she explained.

Nguyen Van Minh, Director of Van Duc Vegetable Production, Business and Service Cooperative, told VietNamNet that the price surge is due to a severe supply shortage.

His cooperative, which spans over 200 hectares, typically harvests 70–80 tons of vegetables daily for supermarkets and institutional kitchens in the Hanoi area.

However, since early October, prolonged heavy rains and storms have caused widespread crop rot, slashing daily output to just 40–50 tons - nowhere near enough to meet demand.

“The volume we’re harvesting now isn’t sufficient for our regular partners,” he said.

Other farms across Hanoi and neighboring areas are facing similar issues. The rain has prevented tomato plants from bearing fruit, slowed cabbage growth, and caused mass rot among leafy vegetables.

As a result, prices have spiked. Minh noted that last year at this time, leafy greens sold for just 10,000–12,000 VND/kg (USD 0.40–0.49), while now they fetch 18,000–20,000 VND/kg (USD 0.73–0.81). Cabbage, which used to cost 150,000 VND for a 20kg sack (USD 6.10), now sells for 280,000–300,000 VND (USD 11.40–12.20).

Herbs are even more expensive due to inconsistent weather, which has stunted plant growth.

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Floods and heavy rain have caused widespread vegetable rot, pushing prices to extreme highs. Photo: Tam An

“Even at these prices, farmers still don’t have enough vegetables to sell. Traders aren’t just supplying Hanoi - they’re buying in bulk to ship to central provinces,” Minh added.

He said the combination of high demand and low supply is the core reason behind the price hikes - some vegetables now cost as much as meat or fish.

Hoang Van Tham, Director of Chuc Son Clean Vegetable Cooperative, confirmed that ongoing storms and floods have severely impacted planted crops.

“When our farmers bring vegetables to wholesale markets, three to four traders compete over each batch,” he said.

Chuc Son Cooperative had previously fixed procurement prices with its members, but due to sharp increases in market prices, the co-op was forced to raise purchase prices by 70%.

“Even then, we’ve had to send staff out regularly to remind farmers to honor their contracts and not sell to outside traders,” Tham added.

Vegetable cooperatives in Hanoi say that if weather conditions stabilize, prices could ease within 30–45 days. Leafy greens typically take about 30 days to grow, so a healthy harvest could quickly relieve pressure.

However, if there’s a prolonged cold snap, growth will slow, extending harvest time, though the current level of shortage is unlikely to persist.

Tam An