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 everheld Tet, with 24 more markets than were present last year,” saidNguyen 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 CauGiay and Ha Dong district have two.West of the city centre, Quoc Oaiand Thanh Oai districts are recorded as having 10 and 12 Tet marketsrespectively.

The Hanoi People’s Committee instructed the city’s Transport andCommunications Department and Police to divide and control trafficlines so as to limit the incidence of traffic jams resulting fromincreased market traffic.

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

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

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

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

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