The market was built with 5 floors... 4 floors were left empty.

However, for many years now, this market has been operating ineffectively, with many areas abandoned and degraded, causing huge waste...

Many areas are abandoned and unused at Ngoc Thuy market (Bo De ward), causing waste.

Ngoc Thuy Market was approved by the People's Committee of Long Bien District (old) to build 5 floors according to Decision No. 495/QD-UB dated April 24, 2005 at planning block No. A.4/CCI with a total area of ^7,476m2 . Of which, the main market is ^2,800m2 , the agricultural market is ^1,000m2 , and the 1-storey kiosks are ^368m2 . According to the original design, the market has both stairs and elevators, which is very convenient for trading. The fire prevention and fighting system is also installed synchronously according to standards. Officially inaugurated and put into use since 2008, Ngoc Thuy Market is managed by Long Bien Market Construction and Exploitation Investment Joint Stock Company.

However, after 17 years of operation, the market is increasingly deserted. It is worth noting that most of the areas from the 2nd to the 5th floors are currently vacant with stalls closed. The remaining areas are being used for purposes other than their original purposes. Specifically, part of the area on the 3rd floor of the market is rented out as a gym. Part of the area on the 4th floor has become a temporary residence for security guards and a warehouse for storing goods. Only the 1st floor is still in operation, but the proportion of vacant stalls is also large. The traders here said that due to sluggish business, only a few people come to the market to open stalls selling food, vegetables, fruits, and processed foods.

Observing the reality, the reporter of Hanoi Moi Newspaper noticed that many items of Ngoc Thuy market have also degraded due to long-term disuse and disrepair. Inside, the staircase is cracked, exposing the steel core, posing a potential safety risk. The lighting system on the floors is still there in some places, and missing in others; broken glass doors and damaged elevators have also stopped working. Over time, the fire prevention and fighting system has rusted and degraded. Learning more, the reporter learned that on October 14, 2020, the People's Committee of Long Bien District issued Decision No. 5623/QDDC-UBND suspending the operation of the 4th and 5th floors of Ngoc Thuy market because they did not meet fire prevention and fighting requirements.

At a meeting with reporters of Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Deputy Director of Long Bien Market Investment, Construction and Exploitation Joint Stock Company Le Huy Thanh said that the objective reason why Ngoc Thuy market is abandoned is the increasing demand for online shopping, fewer people going to the market, and sellers at the market falling into a slump. Recently, the company has invested money to build underground water tanks to upgrade the fire prevention and fighting system. The company also applied a policy of reducing kiosk rental prices, encouraging traders to return to the market, but it was still ineffective. In the near future, the company will submit a document to the People's Committee of Bo De Ward and relevant agencies to allow businesses to socialize and convert the functions of some market areas to avoid waste.

On the local government side, Deputy Head of the Economic - Infrastructure and Urban Department of Bo De Ward Le Trung Dung said that, in the immediate future, the Ward People's Committee requested the Long Bien Market Construction and Exploitation Investment Joint Stock Company to invite traders who have kiosk rental contracts to discuss. Based on the consensus, the company will make a report for the Ward People's Committee to consider and change the business purpose, ensuring effective exploitation of the project and avoiding prolonged waste.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/cho-xay-5-tang-4-tang-bo-khong-711605.html