Vinh City attracts investment to build Quan Lau market

Market infrastructure is dilapidated and unsafe.

Quan Lau Market is now in serious disrepair. From the main hall to the surrounding stalls, everything is dilapidated and makeshift; the corrugated iron roof and the cement panels covering the main hall are loose and have broken joints, so a strong wind can blow them off or fall, which is very dangerous for people in the market. The stalls are arranged quite messy and humid, so environmental hygiene is not guaranteed.

An owner of a traditional medicine shop in Quan Lau market said: The market is currently in serious disrepair, so upgrading is inevitable. We hope Vinh city will have a reasonable support mechanism for people to relocate, creating conditions for early market conversion. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Mr. Le Khac Hau - Vice Chairman of Truong Thi Ward People's Committee said: through the ward's survey, the market has 269 fixed and non-fixed business locations; the premises are mainly consumer goods, food, fruits and electrical appliances on the outside of Ho Tung Mau street. The market has seriously degraded but there is no budget to upgrade, the ward is very worried about the risk of electrical short circuits during the hot season as well as the roof being blown off, the scaffolding collapsing if there is a strong wind...

The market's canopy is shabby and makeshift. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Quan Lau Market is located on an area of ​​4,172 m²Located in one of the golden lands of the city, but the annual revenue is not enough to cover expenses. Except for the beginning, each year the market has a revenue of about 300 million VND for the ward, but recently the revenue is only enough to pay the allowance for the Management Team, there is no budget for repairs and upgrades, so the market has become increasingly degraded.

The southern facade of Quan Lau market is adjacent to Ho Tung Mau walking street, so it is considered to have a prime location and is a valuable land of the city. Photo: Nguyen Hai

While Quan Lau market is increasingly dilapidated, Ho Chi Minh Square and Ho Tung Mau Street are becoming more and more spacious, clean and beautiful thanks to investment from the city and the people.

However, due to the lack of environmental sanitation services around the market, street vendors often encroach on Nguyen Trung Ngan street and sidewalk to sell goods, so the overall look of the neighborhood is still quite shabby and messy.

A corner of a fresh food stall is dilapidated, with a high risk of fire and other incidents. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Mr. Tran Chuyen - Head of Block 2, Truong Thi Ward said: Faced with the encroachment situation, the block continuously mobilized people and petitioned the ward to take action to eliminate it, but after only a few days, everything was back to normal.

We hope that after the policy is in place, the city will be determined to transform and invest in making Quan Lau market more spacious; along with upgrading the road and sidewalk of Nguyen Trung Ngan street, we must strictly handle the current phenomenon of sidewalk encroachment and street vending.

The sidewalk and Nguyen Trung Ngan street, west of Quan Lau market, are encroached upon by street vendors. Photo: Nguyen Hai

High determination to convert the market to a new model

Observation shows that Quan Lau market is located in a quite favorable location of Truong Thi ward and Vinh city when the South side is adjacent to Ho Tung Mau street, the West side is adjacent to Nguyen Trung Ngan street, the North side is adjacent to the block road and the East side is adjacent to Vinh Center building towards Vuong Thuc Mau street.

According to the planning just approved by the Provincial People's Committee, Quan Lau market will be retained but must have a suitable form of investment and conversion to promote efficiency and ensure aesthetics and urban space in common with the walking street being formed.

The construction waste dump that has existed for dozens of days next to the market's west gate looks quite unsanitary and does not ensure urban aesthetics.

Through research, it is known that Quan Lau market was invested by the State and mobilized households with business wishes to pay in advance for business location rental since 1997 by Vinh City People's Committee.

However, after more than 20 years of exploitation and use, the market has depreciated and its business efficiency is no longer as good as before. Currently, the business term according to the contract has expired but many small traders have not yet signed a new contract with the Ward People's Committee.

The policy of converting Quan Lau market has been approved by the Standing Committee of Vinh City Party Committee and the City People's Committee has submitted to the Provincial People's Committee a plan to convert investment, management, exploitation and business of the market. In the coming time, based on the survey, careful discussion and dialogue with the people to listen to the wishes of the traders to decide. The general spirit is that the city will create maximum conditions for people to enter the new market to do business. Although knowing that the conversion is not easy, the city is determined and highly determined to successfully convert Quan Lau market.

Mr. Tran Quang Lam - Head of Economic Department, Vinh City People's Committee

Contrasting image between Quan Lau market and the urban renovation projects next door. Photo: Nguyen Hai

During the settlement process, the city ensures the harmony of long-term and stable business interests for small traders as well as the interests of market investors according to regulations; at the same time, organize bidding for market construction and arrange product groups in the new market more appropriately.

The stall inside the communal house is quite makeshift and due to ineffective business, the small traders are not interested in investing in renovation. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Nguyen Hai