As Tet 2022 is approaching, the purchasing power of essential items for Tet consumption at supermarkets, grocery stores, and wet markets significantly increases. Therefore, functional sectors have taken flexible measures to control the Tet market, ensure a sufficient supply of goods for local residents, and guarantee consumers' interests.

Functional forces strengthen market control and strictly handle violations in the trading of essential products to ensure the interests of consumers.

Sharp increase in purchasing power

In these days leading up to Tet Festival 2022, there has been a sharp increase in purchasing power in wet markets, supermarkets, and convenience stores across Da Nang. Therefore, the amount of Tet goods is increasingly abundant and rich in types and designs.

As observed at the Con Market on the morning of January 24 (the 22^nd day of the last lunar month), the number of visitors to the market drastically increases as compared to the previous week, making market stallholders very excited.

In the first days of the 12^th lunar month, many new COVID-19 cases were reported at the Cam Le Market, which caused the market to fall into disrepair. However, recent days have seen an increasing number of market-goers.

Mrs. Hue, a market stallholder, said that stallholders infected with COVID-19 in the Cam Le Market in the previous days were mainly involved in selling vegetables, meat and fish. Stalls selling dried food have still operated normally. However, people were still afraid to go to the market. Fortunately, these days have seen a significant increase in the number of market-goers. Perhaps, in the next few days, people who receive their salaries and Tet bonuses will go shopping more.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Chuoc, Head of the Management Team of the Cam Le Market, said that most of market stallholders have stockpiled Tet goods to satisfy the shopping needs of local residents.

“The market management team regularly uses loudspeakers to remind small traders to sell Tet products at the listed prices, as well as strictly adhere to 5K recommendations, thereby significantly contributing to making residents feel secure when going shopping at the market” added Mr. Chuoc.

A staff member of the Market Management Team No. 1 under the city’s Market Management Department checking Tet goods at the Han Market. Photo: Q.TRANG

Strengthening control of counterfeit, fake goods

The increase in consumer demand for the 2022 Lunar New Year makes the risk of counterfeit and fake goods, adversely affecting the Tet market and consumers' health.

As surveyed at the Han Market on the morning of January 24, the quantity of goods for Tet such as dried beef, squid and rim fish in eye-catching designs are being sold hygienically.

Through recent surveys, most of Tet products such as cakes, candies, jams, and processed seafood at wet markets are sourced from family-run businesses based in the city.

Most notably, these products have information about producers and production conditions labeled on their packages.

In the face of increasing consumer demand for the 2022 Lunar New Year, in order to protect the interests of consumers, the city's Market Management Department has launched a peak-season anti-smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods campaigns before, during and after Tet.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tan Hai, Head of the municipal Food Safety Management Board, his unit plans to conduct food inspections at drinking and eating establishments, production facilities, wholesale markets, and businesses involving trading vegetables, tubers, fruits, and agro-forestry-fishery products.

Meanwhile, the city's Market Management Department regularly conducts food inspections at wet markets from December 1, 2021 to February 15, 2022, as well as reminds market stallholders to comply well with the city’s regulations about food safety and hygiene.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG - Translating by M.DUNG