Hundreds of traders in Hanoi gathered on Monday to protest against the proposal to turn the Dong Xuan Market into a shopping centre.


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Hundreds of traders in Hanoi gathered to protest against the proposal to turn the Dong Xuan Market into a shopping centre on April 9.





The traders gathered at the market's gate holding signboards which said they didn't agree with the plan to turn the market into a shopping centre and wanted to maintain the market primarily for wholesalers.

According to a trader, Hoan Kiem District People's Committee recently organised a seminar on upgrading the Dong Xuan Market into a shopping centre to improve its image and this makes them worried about their businesses.

"Construction will mean that we'll have to temporarily move to other places and lose our regular customers," the trader named Phan Thi Huong said. "But we also worry that the shopping centre will face the same gloomy situation as Hang Da or Cua Nam markets after they were transformed into shopping centres."

Hoan Kiem District People's Committee held an urgent meeting with nearly 100 traders yesterday afternoon to announce that they will not build a shopping centre to replace Dong Xuan Market.
 
"We had recently held a discussion to consult opinions on how to keep traditional trading at Dong Xuan Market," vice chairman of the committee, Pham Tuan Long told traders at the meeting. 

"Besides, we also sought for ideas to upgrade the security, fire safety and hygiene system for the market, but we haven't decided on building a shopping centre to replace the old market here," Long added.

Dong Xuan Market was opened in 1889 and it used to be the biggest trading place in the north.

The market was upgraded in 1990 but then was rebuilt in 1994 with three floors after a fire burnt down nearly all the kiosks.

Dtinews