Why did the multi-million dollar market, funded by the chairman of Hoa Lam Group, close down after completion?

The Dong Ke Market in Quang Ngai, built with a 12 billion VND grant from Ms. Tran Thi Lam, chairwoman of the board of directors of Hoa Lam Group, was completed a long time ago but has yet to be put into use. Why?

Dong Ke Market has been completed but... it's closed - Photo: TM

The heartfelt sentiments of a son of Tinh Giang homeland.

Dong Ke Market was built with a donation of 12 billion VND from Ms. Tran Thi Lam, chairwoman of the board of directors of Hoa Lam Group (a native of Tinh Giang commune, who lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City).

Construction of the market began in March 2023 and was completed in July 2024. However, to this day, the ^1,800m² Dong Ke market with 90 kiosks, designed to serve 150 small traders, is still not operational.

The impressive market, considered one of the most beautifully designed in Son Tinh district, remains closed for five months. Meanwhile, the vendors' initial joy has turned into disappointment.

According to the vendors, the new Dong Ke market was built on the site of the old market. Upon learning that Ms. Tran Thi Lam was sponsoring the construction, the vendors moved to the stadium area in An Kim village, Tinh Giang commune, and set up temporary stalls to conduct their business.

After two seasons of trading in the muddy, polluted temporary market, the locals are still happily waiting for the new market to be completed. Everyone hopes that the kindness of the people from Tinh Giang will help improve their lives.

When the market was completed and handed over to Tinh Giang commune for management and use, everyone was excited. But then the newly built market remained closed, leaving traders disappointed. No one knew the reason, nor when they would be able to return to their old location to do business.

The new market is closed and locked - Photo: TM

Small traders are doing business in the damp temporary market - Photo: TM

Not only the small traders, but the People's Committee of the commune also hopes the market will start operating soon.

One small business owner said that although construction was completed five months ago, the market still cannot open for people to trade. With Tet (Lunar New Year) approaching, the small business owners hope that the local authorities will open the market so they can return to trading and stabilize their lives.

Mr. Vien, a resident of Tinh Giang commune, even though he doesn't trade at the market, is eagerly awaiting the day the new market opens.

"I hope all the procedures are completed so that the people can benefit. Even while waiting for the procedures to be finalized, the market can still be open for people to trade. It's a shame that the market looks so beautiful but the people have to trade in such a damp place," Mr. Vien said.

Mr. Nguyen Phuong Trieu, chairman of the People's Committee of Tinh Giang commune, said that not only traders but also the local authorities hope that Dong Ke market will soon be operational. The biggest obstacle preventing the market from being put into use is the lack of guidance on whether the classification of the market falls under the authority of the commune or the province.

The modern, spacious, and clean fresh food stalls at the new Dong Ke market are not yet operational - Photo: TM

Meanwhile, people are still trading at the polluted temporary market - Photo: TM

Locally, the People's Committee of Tinh Giang commune submitted the dossier to the district, which in turn forwarded it to the Quang Ngai Department of Industry and Trade.

"The Department of Industry and Trade has informed us that specific guidelines on market classification will not be available until February 2025. Therefore, the commune also has to wait," Mr. Trieu said.

While awaiting the resolution of the biggest obstacle, the People's Committee of Son Tinh District has agreed to allow the People's Committee of Tinh Giang Commune to finalize and submit the auction plan for approval by the District Finance Department. From there, they will hire an auction organization from the Department of Justice to conduct the auction, allowing small traders to move into the market as soon as possible.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-cho-tien-ti-do-chu-tich-tap-doan-hoa-lam-tai-tro-xay-xong-lai-dong-cua-20250105170813082.htm