On September 11, Tien Phong journalists witnessed a rush of shoppers at supermarkets and convenience stores in Hanoi as residents stocked up on essential food items ahead of anticipated floods and prolonged heavy rains.
Green vegetables were in high demand. By early afternoon, a supermarket in Dong Da district had sold out of leafy greens, with only lettuce, roots, and fruits remaining. Prices for vegetables at supermarkets remained stable, and some items were even on sale. Spinach was priced at 18,000 VND per 300g bundle, water spinach at 13,000 VND per 500g bundle, and sweet potato leaves at 11,000 VND per 500g bundle.
A supermarket in Thanh Xuan district faced a similar situation, running out of all types of mustard greens, water spinach, and sweet potato leaves. The only vegetable left after 2 pm was lettuce. Staff at the store shared that despite continuous restocking since morning, the high demand made it challenging to keep the shelves full. The next batch of vegetables was expected to arrive later in the evening.
A supermarket located in a large residential area in Hai Ba Trung district also ran out of vegetables. With a significant number of residents from over 20 buildings in the area, the sudden surge in demand led to a quick depletion of fresh produce.
The meat coolers were also emptied. According to consumers, they opted to shop at supermarkets due to the high prices of meat in the local markets.
A convenience store in the residential area was also out of green vegetables, with only a few trays of tomatoes, cucumbers, and spring onions left. The staff assured that more vegetables would be delivered to the store later in the day.
Staff at a convenience store in the Trung Tu collective area (Hanoi) quickly weighed and bundled fresh mustard greens for waiting customers after receiving two crates of the vegetable.
In addition to vegetables and meat, eggs also saw a surge in demand, with supermarket staff constantly restocking.
Milk and bottled water were also popular items in shoppers’ carts. Additionally, large purchases by charity groups contributed to the need for constant restocking by supermarkets.
Prices for food and other goods at supermarkets remained stable, and there were even promotions on instant noodles, porridge, and instant pho. “Fearing floods and heavy rain, I bought a variety of fresh food like meat, fish, eggs, and vegetables, as well as instant noodles and toilet paper. I bought more than usual, enough to last us until the end of the week,” shared Ms. Ngoc Ha, a resident of Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi.
Even before the peak shopping hours after work, long queues formed at the supermarket checkout counters. All counters were open, and the waiting time ranged from 10 to 20 minutes.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade advised residents to remain calm and cooperate with government agencies and authorities in repairing damages and storing essential goods. They also recommended against excessive hoarding to ensure sufficient supply for areas severely affected by the storm. According to the Domestic Market Department, the supply of goods in areas not affected by floods and isolation remains stable, and prices at modern distribution systems are kept steady.
The Flood “Engulfs” Hundreds of Households in Thanh Hoa
The relentless downpour from the remnants of Storm No. 3 and the influx of water from Hoa Binh province have wreaked havoc in Thanh Hoa’s Thach Thanh district. A staggering 172 households are now reeling from the floods. In Kim Tan town alone, 100 households comprising 423 individuals find themselves in a dire situation, with floodwaters reaching depths of 1.2 to 1.5 meters, cutting them off from the outside world.
[Infographic] Flood Levels in the Northern Regions Over the Next 24 Hours
There is a high risk of flooding in the low-lying areas along the river banks in the provinces of Lang Son, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Hoa Binh, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa. In addition, the threat of flash floods and landslides looms over the mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam and Thanh Hoa province.
Urgent Action Needed: Recovering from Typhoon No. 3 and the Subsequent Floods, Landslides, and Flash Floods.
“Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Hong Dien, has issued an urgent directive, numbered 6929/CD-BCT, on the 11th of September 2024, addressing the critical issue of mitigating the aftermath of the recent typhoon, labeled as Typhoon Number 3, and its ensuing floods, landslides, and flash floods that have wreaked havoc across the nation.”
Northern Flood Relief: Supermarkets Pledge Steady Supply, No Price Hike
Representing multiple supermarket chains, spokespersons shared that as soon as they received news of Typhoon Yagi, they doubled their stock and maintained prices to ensure they could cater to consumers’ needs.
Halt All Operations at Laos Cai Border Gates
On September 9, the Economic Management Board of Lao Cai Province issued an urgent announcement regarding the temporary suspension of cross-border activities at the Lao Cai border gate.
