Vietnam sees surge in online mask sales as COVID-19 concerns rise

Health officials in Ho Chi Minh City responded Wednesday with a renewed call for heightened safety measures at hospitals.

Between May 4 and 17, the top 15 face mask sellers on e-commerce platform Shopee sold more than 140,500 units, generating around VND6.6 billion (US$254,000) in revenue, according to data from Ho Chi Minh City-based analytics firm YouNet ECI. 

That marks a 65-percent increase over the previous period.

Sales peaked during the second week of May, with 77,050 units sold and revenues of VND3.3 billion (US$127,000), a 1.2-fold jump from the week prior.

The increase coincided with a sharp rise in social media chatter. 

Between May 13 and 20, there were over 491,000 mentions of COVID-19-related topics, drawing nearly two million engagements across various platforms, according to YouNet Media.

Demand for other health-related products also climbed. 

Sales of COVID-19 test kits by the top 10 Shopee sellers quintupled during the same week, with 210 units sold.

Despite the surge, there has been no sign of widespread hoarding or price gouging. 

Medical-grade face masks remain readily available at VND30,000-50,000 ($1.16-1.93) per box of 50—well below the VND240,000 ($9.24) highs seen during the 2020 outbreak.

On Wednesday, Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health urged hospitals to ramp up screenings and reinstate mask mandates, citing rising global concerns about the Omicron XEC subvariant. 

First identified in June 2024, the strain is classified by the World Health Organization as low risk but it remains under close observation.

Since January, Vietnam has recorded 148 COVID-19 cases across 27 provinces, with no reported deaths. 

Infections have edged up slightly over the past three weeks, averaging about 20 new cases per week, according to the Ministry of Health.

The ministry has also issued a broader directive calling on medical facilities to prepare isolation areas, ensure medical supply stocks, and boost overall preparedness in case of further outbreaks.