Once a small village market specializing in chicken trade, Ha Vy has now become the country’s largest chicken market. However, traders lament at the many inconveniencies in doing business here.
Ha Vy chicken market is located about 25 kilometers from the centre of Hanoi in Thang Loi Commune of Thuong Tin District. In 2006, city authorities approved a project to build a new market as the old market had degraded causing much environmental pollution.
The market was then planned on a scale to become the biggest and most modern chicken market in the country with a total capital of VND35 billion (US$1.7 million).
Since June this year, Ha Vy Market has been in operation. Traders can now move from the old market space to the new upgraded area. Each trader will be allowed to hire only one stall.
According to Le Ngoc Anh, deputy head of the market management board, the lease for one stall is VND110 million (US$5,238) for a ten year period and said that all stalls have already been rented out.
A trader in the market said that many stalls have been rented even though the owner is not a chicken trader. These are actually relatives of local officials who hired the stalls then let them out to traders at a rental of VND220-330 million for a ten year period or VND3 million per month.
Traders have complained that it is much more difficult to do business in the new market which is poorly built.
The market is inconveniently built as it is divided into two areas, one for waterfowl and one for chickens. In the centre of the two areas, there is a delivery lane and a quarantine section.
The investor has built walls to separate the market into three sections. Besides, instead of leaving an exit way at the end of the market, the investor has utilized the space to build more stalls, which are now 42 more than planned.
This has become inconvenient for both sellers and buyers. As a result, traders have flocked their chickens into tents outside or in front of the market.
This has also resulted in 81 stalls in the waterfowl area now almost ready to shut shop. Furthermore, the market is in dire need of a waste treatment system.
