Happiness for rent TUOI TRE   A stall of jewelry for rent in Ba Chieu Market in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre To cope with rising gold price, renting bridal jewelry has become increasingly popular among would-be brides and grooms in Ho Chi Minh City. Fashionable yet economical At the neighboring jewelry stalls in Ba Chieu Market in Binh Thanh District, rentable nuptial jewelry can be easily found for VND800,000-1 million (US$39-49) per item. According to Minh Tam, the owner of a silver stall in the market, rental fees are low since these jewelry items are made from gold-plated silver. Each set comprises of rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Clients can rent the whole set or just one of these pieces, she added. The jewelry for hire is available in a wide variety of types, shapes and colors. For only VND50,000- 200,000 ($2-10), couples can hire elaborate, tasteful items. Bridal jewelry for rent is also available at major jewelry companies and stores in HCMC. At SJC’s Minh Khai outlet in District 3, a set of 24 carat gold-plated silver jewelry is rented out for VND500,000- 800,000 ($24-39) a day. Down payments vary from VND2 million ($97) to 5 million ($243), depending on the value, types and shapes of the rented items. According to an employee at Thanh Nien jewelry shop in Binh Thanh District, the rental period is usually three days, but can be extended to four if clients are in another province. In case the pieces are damaged or lost, clients will certainly have to reimburse the shop for their value. Jewelry for rent is also posted on the websites of some companies for added convenience. “On the website, I thought they were real items. I picked out some at home and it saves a lot of time here,” said Huy, who is renting a few pieces from Thanh Nien. According to a staff member at SJC’s Minh Khai outlet, the company targets not only low and medium- income couples but also aims at the higher-income segment. “Some items are used only once during the ceremony, so couples capable of buying real pieces still choose to rent them,” she added. Also, customers will suffer heavy losses if they sell items made from gold after using them. More couples are choosing this option now. Her store is usually crowded even during off-peak hours, she added. However, luxury items for rent don’t always appeal to couples. Hung, from District 12 said that after browsing the jewelry companies’ websites, which display exorbitant rental fees, he and his wife-to-be decided to rent two sets, one for her and the other for her mother and grandmother, from a stall in Ba Chieu Market. In addition to conjugal couples, those who want to rent jewelry for parties can do so as well. A customer is choosing jewelry at a stall in Ba Chieu Market (Photo: Tuoi Tre) Mixed opinions “Jewelries worn during conjugal ceremonies are considered dowry and have huge spiritual values,” said Tra Quang Lam, 73, when he first heard of the service. “However, it’s okay if today’s youth rent the items for financial reasons, or others,” he noted. Meanwhile, N. N. P., an employee at the Tan Binh industrial zone who is planning a wedding, objected to renting nuptial jewelry. “The rental deprives the conjugal ceremony and reception of their sincerity and solemnity. Jewelry is just symbolic, mutual love counts most,” he reiterated. “All brides wish to be as gorgeous and dazzling as they can be on their once-in-a-lifetime day. However, there’s no need to rent jewelry just to show off,” commented Pham Thi Doan Hoan, also from District 12.