Hue City leaders presented a banner with the words "Solidarity - Democracy - Innovation - Development" to the Management Board and traders of Dong Ba market.

Attending the event were former Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Phan Ngoc Tho; Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Hue City Phan Thien Dinh; Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phan Quy Phuong; leaders of Hue City and departments, branches; leaders of the Management Boards of markets inside and outside the province through the periods and traders of Dong Ba market.

Dong Ba Market under King Gia Long was located outside the Chanh Dong Gate (Dong Ba Gate). After the Hue Citadel incident in 1885, the market was demolished. In 1887, King Dong Khanh rebuilt it and named it Dong Ba. In 1899, King Thanh Thai moved Dong Ba Market to its current location. Dong Ba Market was originally just a small market on the banks of the Huong River, serving the trading needs of local people. Through many ups and downs, wars and changes, the market has continuously expanded and developed. Up to now, the market has become a large commercial center of Hue City with more than 85 business lines serving the commerce of the city's residents and tourists from all over the world, attracting thousands of customers every day, and is an indispensable destination for tourists when coming to Hue.

A scene of bustling trading atmosphere at Dong Ba market performed by the traders themselves

According to the Head of Dong Ba Market Management Board, Ms. Hoang Thi Nhu Thanh, over the past 125 years, Dong Ba Market has been invested in upgrading, refurbishing, changing customer service attitudes, continuing to affirm the position of a traditional market and contributing significantly to the economic development of the city. Here, it creates jobs for thousands of people, from small retailers to large businesses and entrepreneurs.

At the celebration, the Management Board and traders together reviewed the market's traditions over 125 years of formation and development; reviewed scenes of Dong Ba market past and present, and enjoyed a special art program with the participation of singers, artists and traders. At the same time, together we look to the future with sustainable development plans to preserve and promote cultural values, improve service quality, especially protect the business environment to continue affirming the market's position in the hearts of people and tourists.

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary of the City Party Committee Phan Thien Dinh emphasized: As one of the three largest traditional markets in the country (along with Dong Xuan Market - Hanoi Capital and Ben Thanh Market - Ho Chi Minh City), Dong Ba Market plays a particularly important role for Hue City, Hue people, is an economic - commercial center, a place that preserves many traditional historical and cultural values ​​of Hue and the character of Hue people. Over the long development process, the market has had its ups and downs with the times, but has always retained the richness of Hue culture and Hue people. This characteristic has created an endogenous strength, a distinct advantage that helps the market stand firm against the increasingly fierce competition of the market mechanism. These are also the factors that have created the miraculous changes of the market in recent years.

Mr. Dinh suggested that the Management Board and traders continue to unite and be of one mind; proactively promote the sense of responsibility in building a civilized, friendly, safe and unique market. In particular, continue to innovate thinking, quickly absorb and learn new business methods, tools and techniques; flexibly and boldly convert industries that are no longer suitable to seize the opportunity to develop Dong Ba market to new heights, making an important contribution to building Hue City "Civilized, friendly, safe and unique", promoting the development of the city's trade, services and tourism, and together with the whole province, successfully achieve the goal of making Thua Thien Hue a centrally-run city before 2025.

News and photos: THANH HUONG