According to the Department of Industry and Trade, this year the event has attracted more than 2,300 businesses and 5,000 business households, 15% and 25% higher than last year.

There will be more than 7,000 establishments selling goods at a discount this year, besides offering freebies, compared to 6,200 last year.

They will sell among others consumer products, electronics, fashion, foodstuff, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, telecom services, interior decoration items, tourism services, hotels and others at discounts of 5-49%.

It begins with a "Promotional Month" fair at the Phu Tho Indoor Stadium in District 11 from August 30 to September 4, in which 300 businesses will take part. Many other fairs intended to boost consumption will be held at many places across the city.Supermarkets and traditional markets that took part in the promotion month last year reported an increase in sales of 3-20%.
Retailers, electronics stores and supermarkets have announced a slew of promotions in response to the city programme and to celebrate National Day (September 2).Supermarket chain Big C is offering discounts of up to 49% on more than 1,600 products, including fresh and processed foods, spices, cosmetics, clothes, footwear, interior decoration items, and kitchen and bathroom accessories until September 5.

It has also set aside VND500 million (US$22,421) for a programme called "Loving Vietnam so much" to gift hats and T-shirts with the country's red flag with yellow star to customers with Big C cards who buy for VND1 million US$44.8) or more.

Saigon Co.op has tied up with 600 suppliers and spent VND200 billion (US$8.96 million) on its "Proud of Vietnamese Goods 2016" promotion programme at its Co.opmart and Co.opXtra outlets, which offers discounts on thousands of local products between August 27 to September 18.

Lotte Mart has launched promotion programmes offering discounts of 5-49% on more than 1,000 items until August 6.It has also lined up a "Meat Festival" with discounts of 10-30% on various kinds of local and imported meats.Many other supermarkets and electronics shops like Nguyen Kim, Thien Hoa and Cho Lon are offering attractive discounts.