HCMC – Hanoi City has unveiled a phased plan to dismantle more than 200 makeshift wet markets and spontaneous trading spots, aiming to improve urban order and traffic safety across the capital.
The plan, issued by the People’s Committee of Hanoi City, will be implemented from now through June 2027 in line with directives from the city’s Party Committee and People’s Council. Authorities said the move is intended to address long-standing urban management bottlenecks and prevent the formation of new illegal wet markets.
Under the plan, all existing makeshift wet markets will be eliminated, while new ones will be strictly prevented. City officials said the goal is to support the development of a cleaner, safer and more orderly urban environment.
Following a citywide review, makeshift markets and unregulated trading points have been grouped into four categories based on size and impact. The first group includes markets that occupy roads and sidewalks and seriously disrupt traffic. These are to be cleared by January 30.
The second group comprises markets with fewer than 50 vendors, which are scheduled for removal by June 30. Markets with 50 to 100 vendors fall into the third group and must be cleared by December 30. The fourth group includes large, long-established markets with more than 100 vendors. These are targeted for removal by June 2027.
To limit disruptions to livelihoods, local wards and communes have been instructed to assess the capacity and occupancy rates of licensed markets. Vendors displaced from makeshift markets are to be relocated to official ones with available space.
Hanoi also plans to invest in the construction, renovation and upgrading of formal wet markets under its 2026–2030 development program, with priority given to areas that currently lack regulated trading facilities.
Local authorities will be fully responsible for implementation, following what the city described as a six-clear principle covering accountability, tasks, timelines and outcomes. Measures include public outreach, dialogue with vendors, written commitments and campaigns to encourage consumers to shop at licensed markets.
After clearance, local authorities are required to maintain regular inspections, deploy on-site enforcement teams, install road markings and prohibition signs, and apply technology to prevent markets from re-emerging.
Hanoi has repeatedly set targets to eliminate makeshift markets since the early 2000s, often as part of broader urban order campaigns. However, many neighborhoods continue to host roadside markets that obstruct traffic, degrade the environment and undermine the city’s appearance, prompting authorities to adopt a more comprehensive and long-term approach.
