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Hoang Liet Ward in Hanoi has mobilized to complete clearance and close more than 100 makeshift kiosks at the HH3-HH4 Linh Đàm apartment complex, aiming to restore order, reduce fire risks, ease traffic congestion and cut environmental pollution in the area.
Hanoi’s electronic information portal said the walkway next to the HH3-HH4 Linh Đàm complex near Nguyen Phan Chanh Street had turned into a large makeshift market, with more than 110 kiosks occupying the road and sidewalk.
With about 40,000 residents living in the HH Linh Đàm complex, demand for buying and selling food and essential goods is high. The city said the absence of a traditional market or a sufficiently large supermarket contributed to the emergence of the makeshift market, which has repeatedly been raised at party committee and government meetings under the locality’s “five bottlenecks.”
Hanoi noted that while the market provides convenience, it has become a serious problem for environmental hygiene and traffic safety, and for firefighting. The city said that occupying the walkway has paralyzed space for firefighting vehicles to operate.
To address violations of urban order and traffic congestion, Hanoi Police Chief issued Document 401/BC-CAHN on May 7, 2026. On the same day, the Hoang Liet Ward People’s Committee issued Notice 292/TB-UBND dated May 7, 2026 and mobilized forces to act.
From the evening of May 7, the ward mobilized officials in coordination with ward police to inspect and remind residents to voluntarily dismantle items encroaching on roads and sidewalks. Ward officials and police forces assisted residents in moving goods and dismantling canopies overnight.
For those who resisted, the inspection team seized material. By 6 p.m. on May 8, more than 110 kiosks had been cleared.
Deputy Secretary and Chairman of the Hoang Liet Ward People’s Committee Nguyen Anh Tuan said the government’s stance is not only to “dissolve” but also to “build.” After ending the illegal makeshift market’s operation, the ward will consider arranging a new suitable business location.
The plan, the ward said, must align with the city’s planning, meet environmental hygiene standards and especially firefighting safety requirements, with the goal of stabilizing residents’ livelihoods in line with the rule of law.
Hanoi is also implementing solutions to deal with “unlicensed markets” and spontaneous business points under Plan No. 373/KH-UBND dated December 26, 2025.
Under the plan, by the end of 2026, the city aims to clear 100% of unlicensed markets and spontaneous businesses belonging to Groups 1, 2 and 3; in 2027, it targets clearing all unlicensed markets and spontaneous businesses.
The city also plans to allocate spaces for vendors at cleared sites to operate in legal markets, linked to investments in new market construction and market renovation, repair and upgrading, according to the city’s market development and management targets for 2026 and 2026-2030.
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