In 2000s, a major population of workers from outside the province rushed to factories at Hoa Loi Commune, Ben Cat District, contributing their shares to local economic status; however, behind the great picture is another greater one with various issues need resolving.Make-shift market places, risky!One of the most prominent issues at Hoa Loi Commune is social order disrupted by residents around Nhat Huy make-shift market at Phu Xuan Hamlet where, for years, robberies, thefts, fighting, and traffic accidents have roamed.

The working force is frequently present to put things in order Hustle buying and selling activities take place at make-shift market places, thus, occupation of pavement on rush hours is inevitable.This is the major cause to disorder at Nhat Huy market place. Daily at rush hours, the street is overcrowded with people elbowing through.“It’s like a place of joy with a lot of people but danger awaits,” said Mr. Huynh Van Thanh at Phu Nghi Hamlet.As informed by Thanh, the market place was now so crowded until 2007, bringing with it traffic accidents, thieves, and robbers who took away normally calm rural area in the past.As Thanh said, the activities should peak from 15:00 to 18:00 daily – the twilight. Nhat Huy market place is located on National Highway No. 14 with plenty of vehicles passing by. The street there is wide and smooth enough to tempt for over-speeding of drivers. Such reckless actions may cause tragic accidents.As informed by Mr. Vo Van Van, residing nearby, in recent 3 years, accidents have happened occasionally.“Averagely two to three days, vehicle crashes occur and in matter of months, severe accidents just happen, let alone pocket-picking, theft, and robberies” said Van.Mr. Vo Van Het, Deputy Chair of Hoa Loi Commune People’s Committee said that people with bad intentions may exploit the crowd to act.Some may cover up their presence at the site to commit pocket-picking before moving to other places. Het also informed of fighting of gangs to be privileged on trading.“Realizing the public disorder, local People’s Committee dispatched a document to Ben Cat District to propose for establishment of a patrol group combined with district and local armed force to monitor the sites around Nhat Huy market place. Besides, on daily basis, local armed force organizes a working group to maintain order,” Het said.“Success one end, lost another end”Although the patrol groups are frequently present, the place is crowded again after losing their sights.Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuy, Deputy Chair of Hoa Loi Commune People’s Committee confirmed the phenomenon. Even penalties have been applied to the action of illegal parking and pavement occupation, the disorder remains.Hoa Loi Commune Police also informed that after losing their sight from 15:00 to 18:00, the disorder recovers to previous state.Some merchants, on contacting us, said that the market place failed to meet the demands of them with legal selling stands; thus, they have to be selling on the street.So what are the measures? Replying to our question, leaders of Hoa Loi Commune People’s Committee states two measures including intensified patrol and new market construction.Nhat Huy Corporation has offered to donate its site to build a new market which is promising to turn down current disorder.Reported by Dinh Thang – Translated by Vi Bao