As soon as they heard that Ben Thanh market (District 1) was back in operation, many people pulled their bags and took advantage of their lunch break to shop at the long-standing traditional market of Ho Chi Minh City.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Anh (office worker in District 1) takes advantage of her lunch break to walk around the market to buy vegetables – Photo: NGOC PHONG

Ben Thanh Market reopened with a total of 70 stalls, mainly trading vegetables, meat, fish, and essential items.

People entering the Ben Thanh market will be required to make a medical declaration, take their temperature, disinfect their hands, enter one entrance, and exit another way to avoid congestion. Customers will buy and sell through the partition, put the money in the basket and then receive the goods.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, deputy head of the Ben Thanh market security team, said that when there is a policy to reopen the traditional market, the management board has also informed business households.

“Initially about 150 households registered, the actual number sold today is 70 households. We ask the seller to inject 2 vaccines, test for COVID-19 once every 3 days, equip curtains and disinfect water, ask business households to strictly implement 5K. For buyers, when entering the market, there is a code scan or medical declaration on paper, check the vaccination shot and remind people to keep their distance “- Mr. Tuan said.

Ms. Ong Thi Muoi, a small trader, confided: “The market is very happy to operate again, I’m used to selling here. I resell it, besides selling to direct buyers, I also sell through orders, mainly real sausages. processed products. In District 1, delivery is free of charge, while outside the district, customers support a small delivery fee.”

Ms. Nguyen Quynh Lam (District 1) shared that she has not been able to go to the market to buy fresh food for a long time, and when she goes to the supermarket, she waits in line for a long time but feels “insecure”.

“The market is open, I’m happy, at the market is diverse, there are more choices for you, the space is large and the way to prevent this is less contact, the sellers here comply with 5K, protect the guidelines One door and one door out should feel secure,” said Ms. Lam.

People scan codes to enter Ben Thanh market, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City – Photo: NGOC PHONG

Ms. Nguyen Quynh Lam (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) said that buying goods at the supermarket will have to wait in line longer than going to the market – Photo: NGOC PHONG

People go to buy food for their families – Photo: NGOC PHUONG

Small traders are happy when Ben Thanh market reopens after a long time of separation – Photo: NGOC PHONG

The management board said that there are 150 registered business households, but currently only 70 households have returned to sell – Photo: NGOC PHUONG

Food and beverage products also reopened at Ben Thanh market, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City – Photo: NGOC PHONG

In addition to customers who come to buy directly, the market’s small traders also receive orders that have people deliver them to their homes – Photo: NGOC PHONG

The market management board also requires testing for COVID-19 every 3 days for small businesses – Photo: NGOC PHONG

Ben Thanh Market (District 1) is equipped with 1 entrance and 1 gate to ensure 5K – Photo: NGOC PHONG

Follow Tuoi Tre