Ninh Hiep market has long been known as one of the largest textile and clothing business hubs in the North. This market not only supplies goods to Hanoi traders but is also a source of wholesale imports from many northern provinces and cities. On peak days, thousands of visitors flock here to transact, especially bustling during the post-Tet period when the demand for goods imports increases.
However, according to records on February 25-26, 2026 (ie, January 9-10 of the lunar calendar), the atmosphere in many areas of the market is quite deserted. At fabric and clothing stalls, the number of customers coming to see and import goods is sparse. Many stalls are open but deserted, small traders mainly sit and wait or take advantage of cleaning and rearranging goods.
Some areas that used to be crowded with people have now become deserted. Even many stores have not reopened after the Tet holiday. The already crowded walkways are now easy to move, no longer crowded as in previous years.
Ms. Hoang Lan - a small trader who has been doing clothing business for more than 5 years at the market - said: "Every year around this time, traders already travel a lot, some days they don't have time to stop selling. This year it's completely deserted, from morning to noon, only a few people come to ask for goods.
According to Ms. Lan, the reason may come from the general decrease in purchasing power, many small businesses are still hesitant to import goods at the beginning of the year. In addition, the trend of switching to importing goods through online platforms has also significantly reduced the number of customers directly coming to the market.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Ngoc Thinh - a wholesaler specializing in lychees at the market - said that this year's market showed signs of stagnation right from the beginning of the year. "Last year, after the 6th day of Tet, customers flocked in very crowded, vehicles were bustling. This year until the 10th day, there is still no sign of recovery. Many familiar customers also said that they do not dare to import large quantities because they are worried about inventory, when they do not clearly understand the consumption trend this year.
Not only small traders at the market, some traders from neighboring provinces also said that they consider more carefully before importing goods. Ms. Tuyet Thanh - a clothing shop owner in Bac Ninh - shared: "This year the economy is difficult, online sales are also competitive, so I don't dare to take as much as before. Usually I have to wait to see the purchasing power before continuing to import.
Some opinions suggest that the change in consumer behavior is a noteworthy factor. Retailers are increasingly tending to order online, while small shop owners also turn to online sources or import directly from factories instead of going through traditional markets.
However, many small traders still expect purchasing power to improve in the coming weeks when business operations return to normal after the Tet holiday. According to them, the period after the full moon of the first lunar month may be a more vibrant market time.
