Small traders in Nghe An are busy packing up their goods and closing the market.

Small traders are busy cleaning up and closing the market.

On the morning of August 25th, a sense of urgency prevailed in many local markets. Immediately after the People's Committee of Thanh Vinh Ward issued a document requesting the temporary closure of the markets, the Vinh Market Management Board promptly informed the traders.

The stalls were quickly packed up, goods were stacked high and wrapped tightly, and many vendors busied themselves securing and reinforcing their doorways. The electrical system in the market was also thoroughly inspected to prevent the risk of short circuits and fires during the storm.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Dac, Head of the Vinh Market Management Board, said: “As soon as we received the directive, we quickly informed each trader, requesting them to move their goods and comply with the temporary suspension of business. The Market Management Board, along with relevant authorities, also coordinated to check safety and assigned personnel to be on duty to prevent and mitigate the effects of the storm. The traders were very cooperative and complied strictly.”

In just half an hour, by 8:30 AM, all the stalls at Vinh Market had been neatly closed. The rows of stalls, once bustling with buyers and sellers, were now quiet, giving way to the rigorous preparations for the storm.

Not only at Vinh Market, but also at Hung Dung Market – one of the bustling markets in Truong Vinh ward – a similar scene unfolded that morning. From dawn, traders were busy packing up their goods, securing their stalls, and reinforcing the market entrances to protect against the strong winds.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, a pork vendor here, shared: “Yesterday, people bought a lot of food to stock up, so today hardly anyone went to the market. Then, hearing the announcement that the market would be temporarily closed, I proactively packed up early. Safety comes first; possessions can be preserved, but lives cannot be taken lightly.”

Authorities and market management are taking decisive action to ensure safety.

To respond to Typhoon No. 5, local authorities proactively took action very early on. From the afternoon of August 24th, the People's Committee of Truong Vinh Ward issued a directive requesting the temporary suspension of all market operations in the area. The directive was sent directly to the market management board, traders, and coordinating functional forces.

Mr. Nguyen Son Tung, Deputy Head of the Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of Truong Vinh Ward, said: “Immediately after receiving the directive, we briefed each market management board and trader. By the morning of August 25th, all markets had completed the closure and ceased business operations. Along with that, the inspection of electrical systems, fire prevention measures, and shop reinforcement were all carried out rigorously.”

Storm prevention efforts at markets go beyond simply closing. Market management forces, along with police and civil defense personnel, organize patrols and monitoring, ready to provide assistance in emergency situations. Many awnings and signs are reinforced to prevent them from falling and causing safety hazards.

Not only did the vendors proactively clean up, but the Hung Dung Market Management Board also worked tirelessly amidst the rain and wind to ensure absolute safety. Mr. Nguyen Khac Thanh, representative of the Hung Dung Market Management Board, said:"We determined that during a natural disaster, people shouldn't be left to fend for themselves. The market management board had to go directly to each stall, encourage and support the vendors, and decisively close the entire market to avoid risks. Despite the difficulties, the vendors cooperated very well; everyone understood that the safety of lives and property must be prioritized.”

Given the complex developments of the storm, the authorities of the wards and communes have also intensified their efforts to disseminate information to each small trader and household around the market area. Loudspeakers continuously remind people to strictly comply with regulations and limit going out during heavy rain and strong winds.

In fact, before the storm hit, people rushed to buy and stock up on necessities. But by the morning of August 25th, as the wind and rain intensified, the streets were deserted, and the crowds of shoppers had disappeared. Instead of trying to stay at the market, small traders seriously closed their shops, prioritizing the safety of themselves and their families.