Small traders at Saigon Square, the 'luxury goods paradise', are in a panic closing their stalls to avoid market management.

Hearing that the authorities were inspecting, a series of small traders at Saigon Square (District 1) were in a panic, calling each other to close their stalls to cope. What did the market management force say?

On the morning of November 3, trading activities at Saigon Square were quite bustling - Photo: TAM AI

Many merchants at Saigon Square confirmed that there were mistakes in their business operations, but due to the circumstances, it could not be otherwise.

Business was bustling... suddenly they closed down one after another

According to Tuoi Tre Online on November 3 at 11am at Saigon Square shopping mall, there were many visitors, mainly foreign tourists.

The stalls are bustling with buyers and sellers, displaying a variety of goods... Among them, the most popular are the stalls displaying handbags, shoes, clothes, and watches from famous brands such as Dolce & Gabbana (D&G), Dior, Louis Vuitton (LV)... at super cheap prices compared to the official listed price, from only a few hundred to a few million VND.

At 12:45, the bustling shopping center suddenly quieted down, giving way to a tense atmosphere, with vendors nervously fidgeting when they heard that the market management team was about to appear.

But by noon on November 3, many stalls at Saigon Square quickly closed when they heard that the authorities were about to inspect - Photo: TAM AI

A series of stalls selling fashion items, clothes and accessories quickly closed, the sellers quickly gathered their items, urgently put away their goods and looked around with wary eyes.

"I don't see anything, probably nothing," a vendor breathed a sigh of relief after about 10 minutes of looking around nervously.

Many customers were surprised when they were shopping and being taken care of by the friendly vendors, but suddenly the stall owner stopped selling and acted coldly. Many foreign customers looked bewildered and confused. Some left, others gathered to observe and discuss.

Specifically, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Ly, a tourist from Hanoi, said that the scene was exactly like the chaos when she was eating at a street vendor at the school gate when suddenly the authorities came, the uncles and aunts ran away in a hurry without time to get the money.

Ms. NTH, a retailer at Saigon Square, admitted that although she knows that selling products of unknown origin and counterfeits is wrong, customers' demand often focuses on these products because of their low prices.

Many customers were surprised when the vendors here opened and closed continuously - Photo: TAM AI

"There are many customers asking to buy, the economy has been difficult for the past few years, revenue has dropped by 70% compared to before, so we are trying to maintain our livelihood," Ms. H. said her reason.

Ms. MTC, another trader, said that recently the market management force has been constantly checking, making everyone in a constant state of tension.

"We are always scared every time we hear about an inspection. We know it's wrong, but it's so difficult now, we only have a few customers a week, and now we sell genuine products that cost millions, but very few people buy them, so we have to sell cheap products, and we try to maintain the products that sell well," Ms. C. worriedly said.

Will check more often

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online on November 3, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department said that recently the unit has coordinated to conduct many inspections at wholesale markets, large-scale markets such as Ben Thanh (District 1), An Dong (District 5), or commercial centers such as Saigon Square... and has discovered and handled many cases of selling clothes, handbags, shoes, watches... because of goods of unknown origin, counterfeit goods, fake genuine products...

However, this person confirmed that there was a situation of resistance from small traders, most of whom chose to close their stalls when they heard that the authorities were inspecting them, which made it difficult for the authorities to operate.

Fashion and clothing products sold in markets are quite popular, and are also quite popular items chosen to be counterfeited genuine products - Photo: TAM AI

"In principle, there must be a vendor and the stall must be open for us to check. If necessary, we can ask the management unit for support and contact the merchant. However, with this situation of closing down to cope, we have determined that we must check more frequently."

Previously, on November 1, market management forces inspected Ben Thanh Market and discovered many violating items, most of which were counterfeit fashion items of genuine brands. At the same time, many small businesses at Saigon Square chose to close their doors to deal with the situation.

Go shopping at the market but feel cramped and insecure

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Ly, the feeling when entering Saigon Square center or markets these days is uncomfortable and stressful because the vendors are always picky.

"When I saw a pretty bag, I intended to take a picture to send to my family to see if I liked it, but the vendors immediately stopped me and asked me not to take pictures. Everyone seemed to be very afraid of the camera," Chi Ly recounted.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tieu-thuong-thien-duong-hang-hieu-saigon-square-nhon-nhao-dong-quay-ne-quan-ly-thi-truong-20241103170626575.htm