In Ho Chi Minh City, unlicensed street markets thrive, while licensed sellers see a continuing drop in customers.
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| Vendors outnumber customers at licensed markets |
The city has approximately 200 licensed markets and 135 supermarkets. There are also about 175 unlicensed markets set up in residential areas.
According sellers at the legitimate markets, this trend is nothing new, but now the number of customers they attract is lower than ever.
On weekend mornings, peak shopping time, the parking lot of Bac Ninh Market, in Thu Duc District, is almost empty, while the supermarkets are full. There is enough room to drive motorbikes around the stalls.
Mrs. Thuy, who sells pork there, said, “I’ve never seen business so slow.”
The situation is similar with officially recognised markets all over the city.
Many traders have abandoned their stalls in Ba Chieu Market in Binh Thanh District.
According to the management board of Pham Van Hai Street, the number of fresh food stalls there has gone from 200 to 20.
A license becomes a disadvantage
In the competition between between outdoor markets, unlicensed ones have a clear advantage. Because they don’t pay taxes, therefore, they can offer lower prices.
Mrs Sau, who lives near the Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City, said that she used to go to Thu Duc Market, which is licensed. But now she has switched. “I can get meat, fish, fruit or whatever I need at the neighborhood market. Everything is cheaper there.”
Despite efforts by municipal authorities, unlicensed street markets continue to thrive.