Many famous markets in Ho Chi Minh City are as deserted as afternoon markets.

The lack of customers continues at many traditional markets in Ho Chi Minh City. According to traders, the biggest reason is still the decline in purchasing power.

Dark market stalls and stall rental signs have appeared densely at traditional markets since the pandemic and there are no signs of improvement - Photo: NHAT XUAN

According to Tuoi Tre Online , the shopping atmosphere in many large markets in Ho Chi Minh City is still quite gloomy. In wholesale markets such as An Dong, Ba Chieu, Tan Binh, etc., it is not difficult to see "closed doors", many areas are almost deserted with both sellers and buyers.

"The market is now deserted, open all day with no customers, while the rent, electricity bills, etc. still have to be paid regularly. Many people have stopped selling to avoid getting tired," Ms. Le Thi Nhi, a clothing trader who has been selling clothes at Tan Binh market (Tan Hoa ward) for more than ten years, lamented.

From June 1, according to tax regulations, business households with revenue of 1 billion VND/year or more are required to use cash registers directly connected to tax authorities to issue electronic invoices.

However, according to Ms. Nhi, the main reason why many stalls have stopped selling is not because of the new regulations on electronic invoices, but because of a serious decline in purchasing power over a long period of time.

"Honestly, everyone is worried about the new regulations, but the main reason for stopping sales is because of unsold products. If sales were still as good as before the pandemic, no one would want to stop selling," she shared.

Many vendors at Tan Binh wholesale clothing market said the main reason for closing their stalls was due to sluggish sales, a situation that has been going on for many years, not because of electronic invoices - Photo: NHAT XUAN

Although not the main reason, some traders admit that regulations on electronic invoices and concerns about tax inspections and counterfeit goods also contribute to the continued closure of many stalls - Photo: NHAT XUAN

At An Dong market (An Dong ward) - the largest wholesale fashion "capital" in Ho Chi Minh City - the situation is not very optimistic. Many stalls are closed, the atmosphere is quiet, there are more sellers than buyers.

Mr. NVH, a handicraft trader at the market, shared: "There are days when I sit all day and sell nothing. People quit because of unsold products and discouragement, not because of the electronic invoice regulation."

Pointing to the row of closed stalls right next to him, Mr. H. said that some people had taken over their stalls because they were bored, and others were using them as warehouses. "Now, sitting at the market all day doesn't sell much," he said.

According to Mr. H., the business situation is getting more and more difficult while costs are constantly increasing. "Now there are new regulations, we have to invest in machinery and equipment, and if we want to keep up with the market, we have to learn online sales and update technology. But not everyone can afford it, small traders are all 60, 70 years old, how can we learn?", he shared.

"In the golden age, when the goods were selling well and the profits were high, everyone was willing to learn. If they couldn't do it, they would hire someone to do it. But now, it's so discouraging that many people have quit," said Mr. H., adding that he himself is considering quitting altogether at the request of his children.

Most of the small businesses surveyed agreed that e-invoices are the right direction, contributing to transparency in business operations. However, in the context of sluggish business, they also expressed hesitation in the face of requests for change.

Similarly, Ms. N. - a long-time trader at An Dong market - said that the reason why many stalls continue to close is largely due to the general pressure of a prolonged period of difficult trading.

"Now, opening a stall is also unprofitable, and I'm afraid of being inspected for all sorts of things. If the profit was still as before, people would be willing to invest and hire people to help with invoices. But now it's so unprofitable, many people are fed up and don't bother to continue," she said.

An Dong market is deserted, there are more sellers than buyers - Photo: NHAT XUAN

Many stalls in the front of An Dong market center are also "closed" - Photo: NHAT XUAN

Many small traders sit around, surf their phones or play games to kill time - Photo: NHAT XUAN

According to traders, the scene of the deserted afternoon market and stalls being transferred in large numbers has lasted since the pandemic until now - Photo: NHAT XUAN

NHAT XUAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhieu-cho-tieng-tam-o-tp-hcm-dieu-hiu-nhu-cho-chieu-20250717191955479.htm