Thanh Nhan returned to TP HCM on 23/2, the seventh day of Tet, after his family's holiday trip by car. That morning, he visited four car cleaning workshops; some were still closed, while those that were open were completely overwhelmed. Staff at these workshops informed him of multi-hour waits or suggested leaving his car, promising to call when it was ready.

At a car care workshop in Go Vap ward, Van Huyen, a ride-hailing driver, recounted waiting over one hour for an exterior wash, undercarriage spray, and interior vacuum for his 5-seater car, preparing it for post-Tet passengers. He mentioned starting early that morning, and after two overcrowded car washes, the third location finally accommodated his vehicle with an acceptable waiting time.

Cars awaiting washing and interior cleaning after Tet at a workshop in TP HCM on the morning of 23/2 (the seventh day of Tet). Photo: Pham Trung

Thao Van, owner of a car care facility in Thu Duc ward, stated that while her shop typically handles around 20 cars on a normal day, this number has increased two to three times after Tet. The primary reason for the overload at car wash shops is that some have not yet reopened, preferring to choose an auspicious day for their post-holiday business launch. Staff shortages also contribute, as some employees have not yet returned to the city.

On the seventh day of Tet, Van's workshop staff worked continuously until 22:00, whereas on regular days, the shop typically closes between 16:00 and 17:00. Many car owners agreed to leave their vehicles overnight to ensure an early wash the following day.

Most car care facilities have reverted to their regular service prices. Some have implemented slight, insignificant increases, ranging from 10,000-20,000 VND depending on the service.

The most popular services after the Tet holiday are exterior washing and interior vacuuming. Prices for these two services range from 90,000-150,000 VND, depending on the car model and seating capacity. For comprehensive interior cleaning and care, prices typically range from several hundred thousand to over one million VND.

According to some car care facility owners, this overload is expected to continue for a few more days as vehicles from other provinces return to the city, or as city residents who did not use their cars during Tet seek cleaning services before resuming daily travel. After this period, the rush of customers will subside, returning to normal levels once all workshops are fully operational.

In Vietnam, during the long Tet holiday, cars are typically driven extensively and continuously. Car care experts recommend that in addition to basic exterior and interior cleaning, car owners should also check their brakes and tires for timely maintenance. Furthermore, brake fluid, engine oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid should be inspected.

For cars that have been unused for an extended period, owners should pay attention to the battery condition, tire pressure, and engine compartment. A comprehensive vehicle inspection, along with prompt detection and resolution of any issues, ensures more stable and safer operation.

Pham Trung