Tho Quang Afternoon Market is seriously degraded.

*The roof is damaged, so the traders have to cover it with tarpaulin to do business. Photo: THANH LAN*

Many items are degraded and damaged.

Located in the alley of 197 Ngo Quyen, Chieu market is a major seafood trading point in the area, bustling from about 3-7 pm every day. But behind that bustling facade is a worrying reality: the long-standing market is increasingly deteriorating, with leaky roofs, cracked floors, and clogged drains, forcing traders to struggle every day between the fishy smell and stagnant wastewater. Especially in September and October, when the rains come, Chieu market becomes a flooded "lowland".

Because the market is located in a sloping area, a meter lower than Ngo Quyen street level, both sides of the market are close to residential houses so it is quite cramped, and on Le Tan Trung street, the sidewalk is completely encroached, making it very difficult for small traders and people to buy and sell. In the meat and vegetable selling area, the electrical wiring system is tangled, making it easy for short circuits and fires to occur...

Actual records show that, in the recent rainy days, the market floor is covered with black puddles. Above, corrugated iron sheets are punctured and broken, dripping onto the stalls. Small traders have to temporarily put up tarps, place foam boxes and plastic basins to collect rainwater. Along the corridors, electric wires are tangled over people's heads, some of the connectors are oxidized, making everyone nervous every time it rains heavily.

*The market entrance is shabby, with puddles of water. Photo: THANH LAN*

Ms. Le Thi Lua, a business owner at Chieu Market, said that the market has long been dilapidated and shabby. Many stalls at the beginning of the market have become empty storage areas, and most of the traders have moved to the roadside area for easier trading. Previously, the market had a relocation plan, but it has not been implemented yet. On rainy and windy days, traders here have to cover themselves with temporary tarpaulins...

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, a fishmonger, said: “Small merchants have requested repairs many times, but so far there has been no movement. We are both worried about business and afraid of danger because of the mixed electricity and water. In the dry goods area, the market floor is no better, many places have stagnant water creating small holes, making it easy for shoppers to slip and fall. The drainage system has been clogged with mud and garbage for a long time, causing a foul smell.”

Mr. Tran Van Tam, a resident living near the market, said: “The Chieu Market was built more than 10 years ago and used to be a trading point for people in the Tho Quang area and tourists . But now, most of the items in the market are seriously degraded. The walls are moldy, the corrugated iron roof is leaky, and the electrical system is hanging loosely. I hope the authorities will pay attention so that the traders can feel secure in doing business.”

Difficult to call for socialization

According to research, Chieu market is a third-class market managed by Tho Quang ward; currently, the market has more than 200 fixed and mobile businesses. This is a seafood market that is always bustling with locals and tourists. Faced with the market's deterioration, people have requested the ward to have a plan to upgrade, renovate or relocate the market to a more suitable location.

*The middle house is used for storage. Photo: THANH LAN*

It is known that Tho Quang ward has previously upgraded some items of the market such as the yard, sewers, dining area, vegetable selling area, new roofing, electrical system and fire prevention and fighting equipment have also been repaired. However, because Chieu market is managed by the ward and is not included in the planning of the city's market network, the annual repairs and renovations are only temporary, not synchronous, mainly to fix minor damages...

The Department of Industry and Trade said that the investment in upgrading and repairing traditional markets in recent times has been directed by the City People's Committee to the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and the People's Committees of wards and communes to pay attention to in order to improve exploitation efficiency and meet people's shopping needs.

The implementation of investment in upgrading and repairing markets in the city (except for markets invested and managed by the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, and markets invested and managed by enterprises) is the responsibility of local authorities, based on the current status and needs of the markets in the area, to propose solutions for upgrading and repairing and submit them to competent authorities for funding approval.

However, in recent times, investment implementation in some markets has been slow, due to the lack of capital allocation, difficulties in calling for socialized investment, lack of land to expand markets, and failure to attract the private economic sector to participate in investment models, management, and business exploitation of markets...

*People jostle and buy and sell in the narrow fish market. Photo: THANH LAN*

In addition, the management and investment in market development are currently facing many difficulties and obstacles. In particular, there are still overlaps and inadequacies in relevant regulations guiding the management and development of markets, leading to difficulties in implementing investment in new construction of degraded markets.

The deterioration at the Chieu Market has lasted for many years, causing insecurity, unsanitary conditions and directly affecting people's lives. In the context of Da Nang city moving towards building a civilized city, the early renovation of the market is not only a matter of infrastructure but also a social responsibility - to protect the livelihoods of small workers and to prevent traditional markets from being "erased" in the heart of the modern city.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/cho-chieu-tho-quang-xuong-cap-tram-trong-3308139.html