Hanoi is prioritising a plan to develop infrastructure for trading activities, contributing to socio-economic development, according to the municipal Department of Industry and Trade.

The priority is implemented in the 2011-2015 period and will be continued in the next five years.

Over the recent time, the city has been promulgating many policies so as to develop as well as monitor the system of markets in the locality.

To date, the capital counts 414 markets, 122 supermarkets and 26 plazas which play an important role in supplying commodities to the city as well as Red River Delta.

Major malls such as Trang Tien Plaza, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City are shaping a modern shopping practice for city dwellers.

However, the city is facing challenges such as big gap between urban and rural area’s commercial infrastructure development, shortage of civil markets and underdeveloped large-scale wholesale and specific markets.-VNA