The end of the year is an opportunity for people and visitors to visit and shop for the new year. However, this year, due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Ben Thanh market (HCMC) is in a dire situation. Inside the market, small businesses are waiting for customers, worried about the prospect of sluggish sales throughout the year 2020.
In previous years, Ben Thanh market (District 1, HCMC) attracted not only domestic tourists but also a destination for millions of foreign tourists to visit and shop. This year (2020), due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Ben Thanh market fell into a secluded situation, many small merchants closed stalls or traded in moderation for many consecutive months.
From outside the market gate to go in, 4 doors East – West, South – North if there was always crowded with sellers and buyers, especially at noon and evening. This year, these places have become deserted, the stalls outside the market gates are closed, posting leaflets for rentals.
Entering the market is not much better, eye contact is the effect of a closed stall, lying motionless for months. In some places, small businesses still sell goods, but not much better because customers are absent.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, small business Ben Thanh market.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (small trade Ben Thanh market) said: “This is the downtown market. In previous years, if there was no translation of COVID-19, the festival would sell very well. Customers come to the market to shop, eat and drink without seats.
“This year, Christmas and Lunar New Year cannot see customers. In the market, they take a lot of rest. Selling is a loss, we can’t stay at home forever. I have to go to the market to sell, go or go there. stop “, Ms. Hoa lamented.
Ms. Xuan’s family (50 years old, small market trader) said that her whole family has 6 stalls in the market since ancient times. This year, because of the COVID-19 epidemic, she had to close four stalls to avoid further losses. Currently, she only maintains 2 stalls, which are mainly selling food and drinks.
Below is a picture of Tien Phong recorded at Ben Thanh market:
Streets located around the empty market gates, unlike previous years, were always busy and crowded.
This year, due to the influence of COVID-19 epidemic, Ben Thanh market was deserted and dull. The entrance to the market on weekends is not crowded.
javascript:if(typeof(admSspPageRg)!=’undefined’){admSspPageRg.draw(201013);}else{parent.admSspPageRg.draw(201013);}Stalls and shops were closed quietly, some places hung signs for renting out the premises.
The inside of the market is not much better, the scene is empty, the stall is closed.
Small businesses sell modestly, mainly food and drink.
Most of the stalls selling clothing, fashion, and souvenir products are closed.
Scrabble left a few stalls selling flowers and fruit.
Tet is coming, but the prospect of the market being empty makes small businesses worried. A year has too many changes due to the epidemic.
At the market, sellers outnumber buyers, which is a common situation in a long-standing market in HCMC.
Tiền Phong