On average, the sale of air-conditioners and fans has more than doubled in many supermarkets.

On June 8, when the temperature hit a peak of 40 degrees Celsius, the PICO company sold 357 air-conditioners (more than triple the usual figure), about 400 fans (quadruple) and more than 200 fridges (more than double), said its marketing manager Ngo Thanh Dat.

Revenue for the Hanoi-Cho Lon company has surged in the past several days, with air-conditioners, fridges, fans and other similar products making up 70 percent of the total as compared with just 30 percent previously.

Despite a great demand for devices to beat the heat, prices have remained relatively stable. Many shops and supermarkets have managed to keep their prices unchanged to preserve both their reputation and the rights of consumers despite considerable pressure from wholesalers to jack up prices.

Products such as dust masks and summer clothes have also sold well.