Drinks, ice cream sell like hot cakes in Ho Chi Minh City’s heatwave

The southern metropolis is experiencing high temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius, prompting residents to choose refreshing food and beverages to cope with the sweltering conditions.

Retailers and food service providers are responding in force, rolling out promotions and expanding offerings to serve customers during the hot weather.

Fresh products, cold treats fly off shelves

At major supermarket chains such as Co.opmart, GO!, Co.opXtra, and Bach Hoa Xanh, fruit sections have become noticeably busier.

Citrus fruits, watermelons, and other water-rich produce are prominently displayed and quickly snapped up by shoppers seeking hydration and nutrition.

Nguyen Thi Huong, a resident of Nhieu Loc Ward, shared that her daily shopping habits have shifted significantly with the weather.

“Fruits like oranges, grapes, mandarins, and pomelos are now essential as they’re refreshing, easy to consume, and rich in vitamin C.

“During this heatwave, they have become a staple,” she said.

A representative from retailer Lotte Mart told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that since mid-March, sales of cooling-related products have risen by 20-30 percent compared to normal periods, and by 10-15 percent year on year.

Among these, juices and smoothies are leading the growth with double-digit increases, followed by bottled water at around 15 percent.

Ice cream sales have also surged.

To capitalize on the demand, the retailer is offering discounts of up to 50 percent on cooling appliances, ‘buy one get one free’ deals, and bundled offers on skincare and sun protection products.

The retailer plans to continue offering discounts on various drinks and cooling products until May.

Cooling items such as handheld fans, insulated bottles, cooling blankets, beach gear are seeing strong sales growth.

Online food delivery gains momentum

As residents seek to avoid the oppressive heat outdoors, online food delivery platforms are experiencing a sharp uptick in usage.

A representative from food delivery app ShopeeFood told Tuoi Tre that demand for delivery services has risen significantly in recent days, particularly for drinks and light snacks such as milk tea, fruit tea, coconut water, and sweet soup.

Order volumes peak at noon and in the evening, said the representative.

In particular, office workers are increasingly placing orders in the morning, while group orders are rising in the mid-afternoon.

“We realize that the behavior of placing orders has changed more flexibly, influenced by both weather and daily routines,” said the ShopeeFood representative.

Similarly, beFood has reported strong growth in both traffic and order volume over the past few days.

Beverage categories, including tea, coffee, juices, and milk tea, are leading across all metrics, while fast food is also gaining traction as consumers prioritize convenience and minimal outdoor exposure.

Morning orders on the platform alone have jumped by as much as 30 percent.

To meet rising demand, delivery platforms are intensifying promotional efforts and introducing new features.

ShopeeFood has launched a ‘free shipping’ initiative aimed at keeping costs low, alongside group-order discounts of up to 20 percent.

Meanwhile, beFood is applying the fast delivery mechanism by avoiding order batching and offering layered discounts that can reach up to 50 percent of order value.

Cost pressure persists for retailers

Despite strong seasonal demand, retailers are navigating ongoing economic challenges.

Rising input and logistics costs continue to exert pressure on operations, even as businesses strive to keep prices competitive.

Price sensitivity remains a key factor shaping consumer behavior.

Shoppers are increasingly favoring direct discounts over promotional gifts, and are tightening spending by focusing on essential goods, particularly those tied to hydration and health during the hot season.

“Consumers are prioritizing items like fruit juices, mineral water, and alkaline drinks,” one retailer said.

“Portable and practical products such as handheld fans and water bottles are also in high demand.”

To manage costs, retailers are optimizing order volumes and supply chains, ensuring consistent product availability while maintaining operational efficiency.