Residents in an apartment building in Hanoi have complained to local authorities about being affected by unofficial street traders blocking access to their home due to the sale of bonsai and flowers for the lunar new year.
According to the households of building 15T1 on Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung District, since January 30, a large number of bonsai, peach and kumquat trees and flowers have been brought to the yard of their building, causing security and rubbish fears for residents as some of the traders have illegally decided to sleep in the area.
Bonsai and flowers for the lunar new year brought to the building
A woman with a confectionery shop on the first floor said that her business had been greatly affected by the traders, affecting the busiest time of the year for her.
Vu Tien Suu, head of the building management board, said that "We informed Construction Company 3 which operates the building of the problem, but they said they knew nothing about this. So we had to send our complaints to Minh Khai Ward People's Committee".
On February 1, the committee sent a document to the company, saying that this year, Tet flower market on the pavements of Kim Nguu-Minh Khai Street had been removed to help with traffic problems, so many traders moved to the building. The committee asked the company to allow them to sell their products until February 6. The company was also urged to ensure security order for the building.
Vice Chairman of Minh Khai Ward Do Viet Hung said that Construction Company 3 and the ward had actually allowed the traders to sell their products at the building until February 6. "It is hard for farmers to grow Tet bonsai and flowers, so we have partially sympathise with them". This contradicts the earlier claim by Construction Company 3 that it ‘knew nothing’ about the sudden appearance of people using the residential building as an illegal trading area.
