HCM CITY (VNS)— With few days to go before the nation celebrates Teacher's Day next Tuesday, the gift market has heated up with diverse choices, discounts and promotion programmes.

Teacher's Day is an opportunity for parents, students and society as a whole to show appreciation and gratitude for those who impart knowledge and skills in all disciplines.

It is also an opportunity for individual entrepreneurs and enterprises to make handsome profits, providing a wide selection of gift items.

The Big C supermarket chain, for instance, is offering discounts of 10-30 per cent on about 100 items sold in gift boxes until November 20.

In addition, a free greeting card will be given for every purchase of a gift voucher worth VND100,000.

At the Co.op Mart chain, discounts of up to 50 per cent are being offered on about 1,000 items, including clothing, cosmetics and household utensils. Lotte Mart has discounts on more than 500 products.

Customers who are teachers will enjoy a 10 per cent discount on their bill when shopping at Maximark outlets on November 20.

Besides introducing new collections, textile stores are offering attractive discounts for customers who buy fabric for making ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long dress).

The ABC textile store in District 3 is offering a 15 per cent discount on its products until November 20.

Buyer of ao dai fabric at showrooms of the Thai Tuan Group Corporation will have a chance to win one of 5,296 prizes on offer for the special day.

Fabric stalls at traditional markets are also hanging discount signs of 5-10 per cent and providing free gift wrapping service to boost sales on the occasion.

Many flower shops are offering free delivery services and gifts to customers.

Shoes, fashion and gift shops, spas and travel companies have also launched promotion programmes to attract customers.

Some young people have kept themselves aloof from the marketing blitz.

They are more interested in creating presents with their own hands to give their teachers.

Nguyen Do Phuong Nghi, a 10th grade student of Gia Dinh High School in Binh Thanh District, said she and some of her old friends would make greeting cards for teachers at her secondary school who helped and encouraged them to be good students.

"I think gifts for teachers do not have to be expensive. The most important thing is learners' gratitude," she said.

Others are offering free e-cards with special messages for teachers. — VNS