Panic-buying swept through Hanoi on the morning of September 6th as many local markets and supermarkets experienced a sudden surge in customers stocking up on supplies in anticipation of the approaching Super Typhoon Yagi. This led to a rapid depletion of goods, with eggs being the first to sell out.
Empty food shelves at Winmart Linh Dam at 10 am on September 6th…
Mr. Dinh Van, a trader in Me Tri Ha (Nam Tu Liem district), reported that while egg prices remained stable, they were in short supply. “I just picked up my second shipment of over a thousand eggs at 8 am, but they were almost sold out by the time I returned. I anticipate that demand will continue to rise throughout the day, so I’m coordinating with my suppliers to restock,” Mr. Van said.
He explained that eggs are affordable, easily accessible, versatile for cooking, and particularly suitable for long-term storage. Thus, they are a staple item for anyone looking to stock up on food ahead of a storm. Today, most customers bought between 20 and 50 eggs, while some purchased up to a hundred eggs to prepare for potential prolonged rainfall and storms.
Other staple foods, such as beef, pork, and instant noodles, were also quickly snapped up. At Thanh Cong Market (Dong Da district), housewives reported that pork and instant noodles were sold out by early morning, but prices had not shown any sudden increases yet.
Not only the regular markets but also makeshift markets and small, independent stalls were bustling with customers. A pork stall in alley 122 Vinh Tuy (Hai Ba Trung district), which usually sells until noon, had to close by 10 am due to the overwhelming number of buyers.
Supermarkets were similarly affected by the shopping frenzy, with some comparing the speed of emptying shelves to the COVID-19 pandemic. At a Winmart convenience store in the Linh Dam area (Hoang Mai district), several aisles were cleared out by 10 am, and some shelves were left entirely bare.
…some aisles were completely emptied.
Big C Supermarket on Tran Duy Hung Street (Cau Giay district) witnessed a continuous stream of customers, with crowded aisles and long lines at the checkout counters.
Crowds flock to Big C Supermarket…
…leaving many shelves empty early on.
Social media platforms were abuzz with people proudly displaying their “haul” from the frenzied shopping sprees, as housewives recounted their challenging experiences securing supplies in time for the impending storm.
Screenshot from social media.
Screenshot from social media.
As of 9 am this morning, Typhoon Yagi maintained its intensity with winds of up to 16 levels and gusts of over 17 levels (equivalent to 19-20 levels). The storm is expected to directly impact Vietnam within the next day.
Starting from noon on September 6th, the eastern part of the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vy island district) will experience strong winds of levels 6-7. From tonight onwards, the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vy and Co To island districts) will be affected by stronger winds of levels 8-9, increasing to levels 10-11, with gusts of up to level 17 near the storm’s eye; the sea is expected to be very rough.
On the mainland, from the night of September 6th to the early morning of September 7th, the coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Thanh Hoa will experience strong winds of levels 6-7, increasing to levels 8-9, with even stronger winds of levels 10-12 and gusts of up to level 14 near the storm’s eye. The eastern region of the Northeast will also be affected by strong winds of levels 6-8 and gusts of up to levels 9-11.
