At present, there is an abundant supply of goods on the market, and people do not have to worry too much about food shortages.

Locals buying food at Winmart Royal City on September 6. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times

Vice Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Kieu Oanh said this during an inspection of stocks of essential consumer goods on September 6 ahead of the landfall of super typhoon Yagi (or Typhoon No.3 in Vietnam).

Anh however, also noted that the agency has requested supermarkets, businesses, and distributors to increase their stocks of essential goods.

, Deputy Head of the Domestic Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Nguyen Anh Tuan echoed Anh's sentiments, noting that businesses have made adequate preparations to ensure they can meet consumers' needs before, during, and after the storm.

"The Ministry of Industry and Trade advises people not to buy or stockpile more goods than they need in the coming days," Tuan stated.

According to preliminary reports from the Departments of Industry and Trade and distribution companies, the goods market in areas affected by Typhoon No. 3 remains generally stable. The demand for fresh food, instant noodles, and beverages has increased, but the supply is still meeting demand. Businesses have proactively doubled or tripled their stock levels compared to before.

In addition to the supply, both regulatory agencies and businesses have reported that prices remain stable, with no signs of hoarding or price hikes.

Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of Big C Thang Long Supermarket, stated that on September 5 and 6, the supermarket increased its stock by 300%, focusing on essential products such as vegetables, meat, and fish. On the morning of September 6, the number of customers surged, 20-30 times more than usual, particularly from 12 p.m to 3 p.m.

However, Big C Thang Long assured that there would be no price increases during this period. They have worked with suppliers and signed agreements to ensure stable prices in the long term. "Therefore, people should not worry too much," Tuan said.

A representative of Central Retail Group in Vietnam, which manages the GO! and Big C supermarket chains, said that they had also stocked up on dry goods and essentials, increasing supplies by 3-5 times normal levels. For fresh food like vegetables, meat, and fish, they have increased stocks by 2-3 times. The company is also working with suppliers to increase delivery frequency to 2-3 times a day instead of just once when demand spikes.

"We are not experiencing any supply shortages at the moment, so prices in GO! and Big C supermarkets in the North remain stable," said the Central Retail representative.

According to reports from the Departments of Industry and Trade, market surveillance units in provinces affected by Typhoon No. 3 have also stepped up market inspections. These efforts are aimed at promptly preventing hoarding and profiteering as demand rises, which could destabilize the market.

To control prices, the Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade stated that they have asked distribution channels to strictly implement price stabilization measures. "Market management forces are continuously inspecting the supply and pricing of goods, so there is no need to worry about unreasonable price hikes or hoarding," Oanh added.

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, Typhoon Yagi has a very wide track radius. From noon today [September 7], the eastern sea area of the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vy Island District) will experience wind force 6-7. By 7 a.m. tomorrow, the storm will maintain its direction and speed over the northern Gulf of Tonkin, about 150 km east-southeast of Quang Ninh, with maximum winds of force 13-14 and gusts of force 17. This is considered to be one of the strongest storms in the East Sea in the past 30 years.

Meteorologists predict that by 7 p.m. tomorrow, the storm will reach the northeastern provinces with maximum winds  force 8-9 and gusts  force 11. In the following hours, the storm will move west-northwest and weaken over the Vietnam-Laos border region.