Traditional markets are cultural symbols closely associated with community life in rural areas of Vietnam. In Thanh Hoa - a province with a large area and a large population, the traditional market system is not only a trading center but also the economic and social "heartbeat" of rural areas. However, to maximize the role of markets in the context of integration and modernization, it is necessary to have a reasonable investment strategy to improve the quality of operations and link markets with the sustainable development of the locality.
Due to the strong development of modern commercial models, the growth rate of traditional markets in recent years has shown signs of slowing down. However, the State still highly appreciates the important role of traditional markets in socio-economic life, especially in rural areas. In order to promote the development of traditional markets and meet the requirements of being an important channel for goods circulation, on June 5, 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 60/2024/ND-CP on market development and management with many notable innovative regulations. The Decree allows localities to proactively balance State budget capital to invest or support capital for market development in the area. At the same time, new regulations have been added to manage, use and exploit market infrastructure assets invested or supported by the State, ensuring the implementation of the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets.
Notably, the decree strongly encourages socialization and mobilizes diverse resources to maintain, develop and effectively exploit the market infrastructure system. Another highlight is the new obligations for investors in market construction. Investors are required to perform maintenance throughout the project cycle, ensuring the quality of market infrastructure and utilities is maintained. Market management will no longer be managed by management boards as before, but will be transferred to enterprises, cooperatives or organizations assigned to manage market infrastructure assets, creating conditions to improve professionalism in management and operation.
Thanh Hoa currently owns a strongly developed traditional market system with a total of 388 markets, including 10 grade 1 markets, 34 grade 2 markets and 354 grade 3 markets. The Department of Industry and Trade has actively advised the Provincial People's Committee in planning and developing the market system in the area. This process not only ensures the suitability of scale and investment nature according to the plan but also comes with a capital support policy to build new, upgrade and renovate markets. Up to now, most of the markets in the area have been significantly improved with solid or semi-solid market halls, spacious and clean kiosks. The market floor and internal traffic system are concreted, while items such as drainage, fire prevention and fighting equipment and environmental sanitation are also ensured. These improvements have well met the trading needs of the people. Thanks to that, the markets have affirmed their important role as the main wholesale and retail distribution channels of the locality, not only bringing products to consumers but also contributing to promoting the production and consumption of many local agricultural, industrial and handicraft products.
However, according to the report of the Department of Industry and Trade, traditional markets are facing a trend of shrinking their scale of operation, especially in some districts where the market density is quite sparse and mainly consists of small-scale third-class markets. Meanwhile, the number of first-class and second-class markets is often concentrated in Thanh Hoa City and large towns, but the upgrading of these markets to higher standards is slow. The gap in capacity between traditional markets and supermarkets, shopping malls and e-commerce is increasing, reducing the competitiveness of the markets. The change in people's consumption habits, with the tendency to prioritize convenience, has also caused traditional markets to gradually lose their appeal. In addition, many shortcomings in market business and management are also the cause of this situation. Investment policies and trade development planning of localities have not been effectively implemented, market management models are still outdated and the awareness of market management boards and traders has not met the requirements and tastes of modern consumers. These factors have reduced the number of customers coming to the market, threatening the traditional role of this model in the local trade system.
In order for Decree No. 60/2024/ND-CP of the Government to soon come into practice, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has directed departments, branches, sectors and local authorities to actively implement many solutions to promote the development and management of markets in the area. First, the province requires reviewing, adjusting and supplementing the planning of the market system in accordance with the socio-economic development of each region, ensuring consistency and efficiency. In particular, focusing on investing in upgrading class 1 and 2 markets in key areas, while renovating the infrastructure of class 3 markets to better meet trading needs. The province also encourages socialized market investment, attracting the participation of enterprises and cooperatives in market infrastructure management, exploitation and development activities. Social resources are expected to help reduce the burden on the state budget, while improving the efficiency of market operations in a modern and professional direction.
In addition, Thanh Hoa focuses on improving the business environment in the market, supporting small traders to improve their competitiveness and adapt to new consumption trends. The application of technology in market management and operation, such as implementing a cashless payment system and digitizing business information, is also promoted.
Along with the above solutions, the Provincial People's Committee also promotes propaganda work, raising awareness among people, traders and management units about the important role of traditional markets in local economic development. With close and synchronous direction, these solutions promise to create strong momentum for traditional markets in Thanh Hoa to develop sustainably and increasingly better meet consumer needs.
Article and photos: Chi Pham
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phat-trien-cho-truyen-thong-vung-nong-thon-232971.htm
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