Suiting up: The Santa Clause delivery service is becoming popular in big cities. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

HCM CITY (VNS)— While people are choosing decorations for Christmas trees and gifts for relatives and friends, their children have only one thing on mind – Santa Claus and the gifts he is likely to bear.

In HCM City, many supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and amusement centres are offering customers free delivery of gifts by Santa during the Christmas week.

Tourist company Lua Viet Company said the number of customers asking for men made up as Santa has increased rapidly in recent years.

It chooses tubby people for the role because kids expect a plump Santa, it said.

Other companies like Funny Day and Viet Nam Tourguide also offered this service.

Most companies charge VND100,000-200,000 (US$4.7-$9.5) for a visit, with the figure doubling on Christmas Eve.

Some companies offer special services for VND500,000 with 10 Santas, two fairies, and a sleigh.

This year a large range of locally made Christmas gifts and ornaments is available.

A Christmas tree with eye-catching decorations costs between VND300,000 and VND900,000; a wide variety of locally-designed cards are available at an average price of VND10,000.

Kinh Do, Givral, Brodard, and Hy Lam Mon bakeries offer all kinds of Christmas cakes and candies starting at VND120,000.

Restaurants and hotels have announced special deals including food and music, fashion and magic shows at around VND1 million ($50) for adults and half that for children.

Charity organisations and individuals have been donating medicines, gifts, and toys to disadvantaged children in hospitals and shelters. —VNS