Markets spilled over with Tet shoppers

More than 50 Tet (Lunar New Year) markets have been opened throughout Ha Noi, selling flowers and agricultural products.

“This is the biggest grouping of flower and agricultural markets ever held for Tet, with 24 more markets than were present last year,” said Nguyen Thi Nhu Mai from the Ha Noi Industry and Commerce Department.

Sixteen markets were trading within the city whereas another eight have sprung up in surrounding suburbs.

In the city, Tay Ho and Thanh Xuan had three markets each while Cau Giay and Ha Dong districts had two. West of the city centre, Quoc Oai and Thanh Oai districts were recorded as having 10 and 12 Tet markets respectively.

Maintaining control

The Ha Noi People’s Committee instructed the city’s Transport and Communications Department and Police to divide, and control traffic lines so as to limit the incidence of traffic jams resulting from increased market traffic.
The city’s committee also ordered market organisers to ensure civilised commerce, sanitation and limits on trading areas. Local authorities were also asked to deal strictly with illegal market places.
A ban on markets along Tay Ho District’s Nghi Tam road, a popular space for selling Tet flowers and trees, was introduced to avoid heavy traffic jams.

This year, however “the market places will be held on vacant areas nearby Nghi Tam road and around the district’s Quang An Ward,” said Mai.
The city also required shops selling Tet goods to register with the City’s Industry and Commerce Department with quantities and price lists for their products.

“Our mission is to ensure the proper supply of goods and maintain price stability during and before Tet.” added Mai.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

Tags: Tet market, Vietnam retail market, Vietnam supermarkets, Vietnam Tet 2010