French market management company Semmaris said on Oct. 4 that it expects Hanoi authorities to soon approve a plan to build an agricultural wholesale market in Gia Lam District.

A night at Long Bien Market. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Speaking at a press conference held by the French Embassy in Vietnam, Bertrand Amborise, director of international cooperation at Semmaris, said the wholesale market will cost about VND7.1 trillion (US$219 million).

It will cover a total area of 100 hectares, consisting of a market and a warehouse. The market will be divided into five sub-areas for the sale of vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, and services.

The project was launched in April 2019. After four years, Semmaris has completed the feasibility report, which was forwarded by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade to the city government for review and approval.

"We hope that Hanoi will have a modern wholesale market and solve the issues of food safety and food supply," Bertrand said.

While praising Hanoi's strategic location for promoting food and logistics networks, the French businessman said Hanoi also has to face problems in food safety and food security.

He suggested that Hanoi shut down all substandard food producers and distributors, and force sellers to join a modern wholesale center.

"Gia Lam District has all the good conditions for a wholesale market as it is well connected with neighboring cities and provinces through a complete network of roads, waterways, air transport, and railways," he said.

Speaking at the event, Tran Thi Phuong Lan, Acting Director of Hanoi's Department of Industry and Trade, said the project has faced many difficulties over the past four years, especially the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Hanoi needs an internationally standardized wholesale market so that the capital city can ensure food safety for all people and improve trade with other Vietnamese localities and Paris, France," Lan said.

She thanked the French Embassy in Vietnam and French government agencies for supporting the project.

"We will include the market project in the capital's development plan for 2021-2050, which will be submitted to the National Assembly in the next few years."

She added that Hanoi authorities will invite private investors to join the market project and expected further support from the French Embassy and the French government.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said the project will not only improve the living conditions of people in Hanoi through better food quality but also play an important role in Vietnam's economy.

"This is the first step towards the development of an international standard wholesale market in Hanoi. Semmaris and the Embassy expect the feasibility report to be approved by local authorities soon," he said.

Hanoi currently has four wholesale markets, namely Long Bien, Yen So, Minh Khai, and the South Hanoi market.