Wet market vendors adopt new selling strategies amid Covid-19 closures

With the latest Covid-19 related closure happening on July 2, all temporary markets and 93 of 234 traditional markets in HCMC have ceased operations, according to the municipal Department of Industry and Trade.

Hoa, a pork seller at a temporary market on Hiep Binh Road in Thu Duc City, said she has sent text messages to loyal customers daily, offering pre-packaged meat and free home delivery service.

"To enjoy free home delivery, customers have to order at least three kg. I sell dozens of kilograms each day," she said, adding that the sales remain smaller than before the market was closed down.

Sellers pack vegetables in plastic bags for home delivery. Photo by: VnExpress/Hong Chau.

Another pork seller, Thanh, said that soon after the Phu Tho Market in District 11 closed, she began selling meat online, targeting residents of District 7, where she lives.

"I encourage people to buy over five kg to enjoy wholesale prices," Thanh said, adding that she sells the whole meat of one pig every day.

Hue, a meat seller at the Hoc Mon wholesale market, said she has promoted her products on social media, offering home delivery. "Besides regular customers, we are seeking new ones when the market is closed," she said.

On July 2, the HCMC Advertising Association and the HCMC E-commerce Association proposed that the Department of Industry and Trade develops online channels for wet market vendors. Officials said the first of such channels are expected to open soon.

The HCMC E-commerce Association will assist sellers in building databases of suppliers, listing goods, their origins and prices. It will also train the sellers on doing business online effectively.