VIETNAM'S HCMC to reduce markets

Planet Retail 18 Feb 2009

Local reports state that Ho Chi Minh City's (HCMC) People's Committee will no longer allow new markets to open in the city centre, while also reducing the number of open-air markets between now and 2015. The policy is an attempt to increase the popularity and development of modern grocery formats, particularly supermarkets and hypermarkets, in the city.

In addition, markets currently trading will have to upgrade to reach legal standard or risk closure, while unregistered markets will be closed to make streets more accessible. According to Thanh Nien News, by 2015, the city aims to get rid of all wholesale seafood markets except for three in Thu Duc, Hoc Mon and Binh Dien, which are all located in the outskirts of the city. The three markets will have exclusive rights to buy and sell seafood and agricultural products from southern provinces.

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