Innovating and improving the efficiency of traditional markets.

With the strong development of modern retail systems and e-commerce, traditional markets still play an important role in the circulation of goods, serving the buying and selling needs of the people and consuming local agricultural products. However, under competitive pressure, traditional markets need to upgrade their infrastructure and innovate their management methods to adapt to modern commercial trends.

With the strong development of modern retail systems and e-commerce, traditional markets still play an important role in the circulation of goods, serving the buying and selling needs of the people and consuming local agricultural products. However, under competitive pressure, traditional markets need to upgrade their infrastructure and innovate their management methods to adapt to modern commercial trends.

Traditional markets play a crucial role in the circulation of goods, meeting the buying, selling, and consumption needs of local people.

A widespread network of markets

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the province currently has 401 markets with a total business area of ​​over 1 million square meters, more than 38,600 business points, with over 28,400 permanent households and over 6,700 non-permanent households, playing an important role in the goods distribution system, meeting consumer needs and promoting local trade activities. Currently, 335 out of 401 markets have been classified. Of these, there are 7 Class 1 markets, 41 Class 2 markets, and 287 Class 3 markets; 264 permanent markets, 63 semi-permanent markets, and 8 temporary markets.

In 2025, 14 markets will be upgraded and renovated with a total investment of over 9.7 billion VND; of which over 5.6 billion VND will come from the state budget, and the remainder will be invested by businesses, cooperatives, and public service units from market operation revenue. Many roads connecting to the markets will also be upgraded, creating favorable conditions for the circulation of goods.

Vinh Long Market (Long Chau Ward) is one of the seven first-class markets in the province. The market was built with state investment, covering an area of ​​over 13,900 square meters, with nearly 2,000 fixed business stalls. It is divided into many sections such as vegetables, seafood, fresh food, fruits, general merchandise, and a self-produced/self-consumed area. This market operates 24/7, serving the buying and selling needs of local people and distributing goods, agricultural products, and seafood from many provinces and cities in the region.

The Ben Tre Agricultural and Aquatic Products Wholesale Market (Phu Khuong Ward) is also an important link in the province's goods distribution system. The market covers an area of ​​over 6,000 square meters with more than 200 business points and nearly 160 permanent businesses specializing in the purchase and distribution of agricultural and aquatic products. Thanks to its convenient location with access by both waterways and roads, trading activities take place continuously, contributing to meeting domestic consumption needs and supplying goods to the surrounding area.

Traditional markets still play a crucial role in the circulation of goods, especially agricultural products and OCOP (One Commune One Product) products. However, business methods in many markets are slow to innovate; the quality of service and the ability of traders to apply technology are still limited. In particular, the strong development of e-commerce is creating significant competitive pressure on traditional markets.

Improving the effectiveness of market management model transformation.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, out of 335 classified markets, 26 are managed by public service units, 203 by commune/ward People's Committees, 80 by enterprises, and 26 by cooperatives. In 2025, there will be no changes to the market management model, and management and operation will be maintained for the 56 markets that have already been converted to enterprise or cooperative management.

The transition to a business model, with cooperatives managing and operating markets, has yielded more positive results compared to the traditional market management board model. This has fostered greater initiative in market investment, operation, and development, while also mobilizing additional social resources to upgrade infrastructure and expand business activities.

Local authorities are focusing on investing in upgrading infrastructure and gradually building civilized and safe markets that meet modern commercial trends.

The Hieu Phung Market Trade and Service Cooperative (Hieu Phung commune) is one of the effective operating models after the transformation. The cooperative currently manages more than 100 small traders doing business at the market. From 2025, the market will begin implementing a food safety market model, gradually improving the quality of services and the business environment.

Mr. Pham Anh Dung, Director of the Cooperative, said that after the change in management model, the market's operation has seen many positive changes. The Cooperative is more proactive in investing in infrastructure, organizing product categories, maintaining hygiene, and ensuring security and order. Traders have raised their awareness of their rights being linked to the overall efficiency of the market's operation. Thanks to a stable and safe business environment, the number of customers coming to shop is increasing.

Similarly, Vung Liem Market (Trung Thanh commune) is one of the markets that has received significant investment after the management model was changed. The market covers an area of ​​approximately 1.5 hectares with over 300 traders selling various goods such as fresh food, clothing, shoes, and household items. A representative from the Vung Liem Market Cooperative stated that after the model change in 2020, the cooperative proactively invested in canopies, concrete floors, parking lots, restrooms, and fire prevention and control systems.

The transformation helps reduce the management burden on the State, increases the efficiency of market operations, creates more jobs and revenue for the locality. The cooperative also regularly reminds traders to comply with regulations, maintain environmental hygiene, ensure food safety, and gradually apply flexible business models such as home delivery and product promotion on digital platforms.

According to Mr. Pham Phuoc Trai, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, in 2026, the industry and trade sector will implement a plan to transform the management, business, and operation model of markets in 2026 and the 2026-2030 period. Simultaneously, it will coordinate efforts to attract investment in the development of commercial infrastructure in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, ensuring compliance with the approved provincial plan. The plan includes strengthening market organization and beautification, inspecting fire safety, food safety, and environmental protection in markets, closely monitoring market developments, supply and demand, and prices of essential goods in markets, and implementing market stabilization measures; developing plans and clearing spontaneous business points encroaching on roads, sidewalks, and traffic safety corridors. The focus will be on supporting and guiding communes to achieve the criteria for rural commercial infrastructure in the 2026-2030 period.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Truc Son, requested that units continue to improve the efficiency of traditional markets, innovate business models to adapt to modern shopping trends. At the same time, he urged increased application of digital transformation such as cashless payments and QR codes for product traceability; focusing on fire prevention and control, food safety, environmental protection, and quality management of goods, preventing the existence of counterfeit and substandard goods that erode consumer trust.

According to the market development plan for the period 2026-2030, the province aims to gradually improve the market network, address the deterioration of infrastructure, and enhance standards for food safety, environmental hygiene, fire prevention and control, and commercial civility. By 2030, 100% of markets will have regulations, operational plans, and product arrangement according to regulations; 100% of Class 1 and Class 2 markets will implement cashless payment. The plan also aims to upgrade and renovate (repair) 253 markets; build 9 new markets, and expand 2 markets. Furthermore, it aims to attract investment in 17 markets (including 7 wholesale markets).

Text and photos: THAO TIEN

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/thuong-mai-dich-vu/202605/doi-moi-nang-hieu-qua-hoat-dong-cho-truyen-thong-7f758c5/