VietNamNet Bridge – Traditional markets in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta's Can Tho City are suffering from severe degradation, finding themselves at risk of disappearing in competition with modern supermarkets.

The Hung Loi market in Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City. Traditional markets in the city are being allowed to run down and risk disappearing in the face of competition from supermarkets. (Photo: VNS)
Due to inadequate infrastructure, city markets have lost their appeal to modern facilities offering better services and food hygiene, according to Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, Le Van Hung.

"Investment is needed to upgrade or relocate markets," Hung said.

Currently, there are 102 traditional markets spreading across the city, more than half of which struggle with little space and the threats of water submersion during the rainy season or catching fire in the dry.

The markets which have seen the worst decline include the fish wholesale market in Ninh Kieu District, the Thoi An Dong Market in Binh Thuy District, the Nga Ba Market in O Mon District and the Lang Sen in Vinh Thach District.

It is interesting to note that most markets are often located in densely populated areas, meaning damage to urban landscapes.

In order to deal with the situation, the local People's Committee plans to boost the development of traditional markets by 2015.

It is aimed to restore market attraction amongst both locals and tourists to raise competitiveness against supermarkets, said Deputy Manager of the Department of Trade Management Ngoc Nhan.

As part of the plan, 27 markets are set to be rebuilt while 12 others are upgraded and two relocated.

Work is to be carried out based on State budget investments and private funding, although the small scale of upgrading might not lure enough outside parties, according to a People's Committee report.

With a limited budget, land clearance also faces difficulties due to small traders disagreeing on compensation fees and the city lacking enough land for relocation purposes.

By 2010, 24 traditional markets had completed upgrading worth more than VND258 billion (US$12.3 million) while eight new markets were put into operation.

Upgrading traditional markets, a long distinct cultural feature throughout Viet Nam, forms an integral part in local socio-economic development.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News