There once was a trend to build big and modern markets in the urban areas in Hanoi. However, many of these markets turned out to be complete failures as they were left abandoned.
Disordered temporary markets
Nga Tu So temporary market in Dong Da district was invested with more than VND10 billlion, completed in 2010. However, so far, nearly 800 kiosks have been left abandoned and become garbage dumps, causing serious pollution in this area.
Similarly, Nghia Tan temporary market at 131 Nguyen Phong Sac Street is to serve site clearance for construction of Nghia Tan market. However, since the completion two years ago, the temporary market has so far housed no retailers at all. The shelves are a rusty mess and garbage is everywhere.
Thuong Dinh is also deserted. Despite spacious construction with capital of over VND10 billion invested in 300 kiosks, there have been only over 20 leased by retailers; floor 2 and 3 are nearly deserted. Khuong Dinh and Thanh Xuan Bac (Thanh Xuan District) are in the same situation. Most retail markets have common disadvantages of inconvenient locations. Thang Long wholesale market is becoming deserted. Put into operation in late 2003 on an area of 30,000 sq. metres with total investment of VND13 billion, the market operated a short time after the opening and then became vacant and seriously downgraded.
Given a convenient location for transport on Highway 32, Minh Khai wholesale market has an area of 41,500 square metres and costs on total up to VND 27.32 billion in 2 phases of construction. As initially planned, in phase 3, there would be built 24 storey plaza and office for lease with total capital of VND 500 billion and completed in 2010. However, so far the market has not been finished. In September 2008, Minh Khai wholesale market was open with more than 400 kiosks. Nevertheless, after only a short time, the market was deserted and fell into its current situation.
Expectation from local authorities
The many markets becoming unused so soon reflects the fact that the Vietnam market model is gradually falling into oblivion. However, there’s a paradox that there’s mushrooming appearance of other markets. Architect Nguyen Van Tat, Vice President of Vietnam Association of Architects, supposed that the cause was development competition of all provinces. When a province gets approval and capital allocation to build a new market, others will also find ways to get market models without any anticipation of how they will operate after construction. Therefore, an actual market should come from local real demand. Besides, there should be research about the market’s benefits; thereby a right order is made to architect. The architects should base on that to work out the market’s facility and architecture. There shouldn’t be a model race as at the moment, Mr Tat shared.
Asked about this issue, Mr Nguyen Ngoc Nha, Deputy Director of Dong Da Market Management Board, said that according to the project’s agenda the temporary market has been put into operation. However, observing the recent Governmental decision of terminating projects of high-floor buildings within 4 internal districts, the Nga Tu So Plaza project hasn’t been implemented, which means retailers haven’t had to move to the temporary market.
The situation of inefficiently invested markets, poor operation or abandoning should not continue. Therefore, the representative from Vietnam Association of Architects suggested the Authority and Department of Industry and Trade in Hanoi and some other provinces and cities which have built markets need survey, investigate specific status of built markets ineffectively exploited, analyze causes, and propose solutions.
It is expected that Governmental offices will quickly find measures to tackle those concerns and bring back the city beauty. At the same time, waste of national budget on such works will be limited.
Luu Hiep
Vietnamese
