More than 50 Tet (Lunar New Year) markets have been opened throughout Hanoi , selling flowers and agricultural products.

“This is the biggest grouping of flower and agricultural markets ever held Tet, with 24 more markets than were present last year,” said Nguyen Thi Nhu Mai from the Hanoi Industry and Commerce Department.

Sixteen markets are trading within the city whereas another eight have sprung up in surrounding suburbs.

In the city, Tay Ho and Thanh Xuan have three markets each while Cau Giay and Ha Dong district have two.West of the city centre, Quoc Oai and Thanh Oai districts are recorded as having 10 and 12 Tet markets respectively.

The Hanoi People’s Committee instructed the city’s Transport and Communications Department and Police to divide and control traffic lines so as to limit the incidence of traffic jams resulting from increased market traffic.

The Committee also ordered market organisers to ensure public order and sanitation at on trading areas. Local authorities are also asked to deal strictly with illegal market places.

A ban on markets along Tay Ho district’s Nghi Tam road, a popular space for selling Tet flowers and trees, was introduced to avoid heavy traffic jams.

This year, however, “the market places will be held on vacant areas nearby Nghi Tam road and around the district’s Quang An Ward,” said Mai,

The city also required shops selling Tet goods to register with the city’s Industry and Commerce Department with quantities and price lists for their products.

“Our mission is to ensure the proper supply of goods and maintain price stability during and before Tet,” added Mai./.