Ho Chi Minh City’s electronics stores are cutting prices on display televisions, with some models selling for as little as 1.5 million Vietnamese dong—about $57. The steep discounts have attracted shoppers, though the offers come with limitations.
A ride-hailing driver stopped outside a Dien May Xanh store at Phu Nhuan Intersection, examining a TV priced at 1.5 million dong. When he asked about the warranty, a staff member explained it was a former display model, still working but covered for only seven days. The driver left without purchasing.
The Aqua LED television had originally cost over 5 million dong ($189) before the clearance. The saleswoman’s response to concerns about post-warranty failures—”That’s right!”—did little to reassure him.
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Discounts extend beyond a single model. LG, Samsung, and TCL display units are also available for around 1.9 million dong ($72) and up. Shoppers inspect screens, brightness, and ports before deciding on their purchase. These units have typically been running for hours a day over long stretches and may show scratches or be missing some accessories.
Electronics stores roll out deals on TVs during the FIFA World Cup season. New TVs have entered the price-cutting race too. Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Toshiba all have models discounted by anywhere from a few million to tens of millions of dong, with some cut by more than 60 percent, dropping from nearly 49 million dong ($1,853) to just over 19 million dong ($718).
At Nguyen Kim, a promotion includes a “100% guaranteed gift” with TV purchases—a vacuum cleaner valued at 400,000 dong ($15). Customers who decline the gift receive an additional 10% discount instead. A 65-inch Samsung TV previously listed at 19.4 million dong ($733) has now been cut to 14.9 million dong ($563).
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Sales have risen by about 34 percent during the World Cup season, with 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models dominating sales as customers look to upgrade their home viewing experience. However, demand has fallen short of expectations.
According to retailers, the TV market has entered a period of saturation. Many households have already replaced their smart TVs in recent years, making them less inclined to buy a new one just for a single football season. Meanwhile, the prices of screens, processing chips, and some input components have risen, pushing overall TV prices higher this year. Promotional campaigns are widespread, but consumers remain cautious.
Some fans have chosen to watch matches on their phones or tablets, or to gather at coffee shops.