In the decision announced on Thursday, the inspectorate suggested that the provincial People’s Committee’s decision on land acquisition of Đồng Đăng Market for park construction should be cancelled.

It meant that the market, as well as Đồng Đăng Shopping Centre, which was built to replace the market, would be allowed to operate, it said.

In 2017, hundreds of traders gathered to protest against the decision to shut down Đồng Đăng Market for park construction. More than 540 traders working at the market would be forced to move to Đồng Đăng Shopping Centre.

Traders said the plan was implemented without asking for their opinions, claiming it lacked transparency and openness. They also raised concerns over the high rent in the shopping centre.

Some traders said the shopping centre needed to be promoted and stimulus packages should be provided to ensure their business would go well.

Most of the traders sold small souvenirs for tourists.

After supervision, the Government Inspectorate affirmed that the province’s policy on building Đồng Đăng Shopping Centre to replace the old market was right and received high support from authorities at all levels.

It would solve fire risks of the old market and improve traffic in the area of Đền Mẫu Temple, a popular tourism site nearby.

However, the implementation of the plan did not fully comply with the provisions of the law and receive support from people.

The Government Inspectorate said the old market should be temporarily maintained during the transition process. The work on fire prevention and control, traffic safety, hygiene and social order of the market must be ensured, it said.

The local authority needed to explain the issue to traders to get support.

The Government Inspectorate’s conclusion has gained support from Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình.VNS