An Dong Market and An Dong Plaza are one of the areas that have been trading in gold, silver, gemstones and jewelry processing for many years in Ho Chi Minh City. This place once attracted many people and tourists to shop and exchange jewelry. However, before the fluctuations of the gold and diamond market recently, this area has become quiet, contrary to the inherent bustling scene.
In the basement area of An Dong market (An Dong ward), many gold and diamond shops that have been operating for many years have closed, the front is covered. Many premises are hung with signs for rent and stalls. Some stores are still open but the number of customers coming in and out is quite sparse.
According to records, along the walkways in the gold and silver business area, the trading atmosphere is quite deserted. The stalls that used to be brightly lit and crowded with customers now have many empty spaces and many premises closed for a long time.
Ms. Tran Thi Uyen (living in Vuon Lai ward) said that before, every time she passed through this area, she often saw many people asking for prices, looking at gold and jewelry. However, recently, the number of customers has decreased significantly.
Recently, many stores have closed, and the buying and selling atmosphere is also much quieter. Before, I used to buy a pair of earrings at a stall here, but now the store is also closed. I have called the store's phone number several times but no one answered. Wanting to exchange or resell, I don't know who to look for" - Ms. Uyen said.
The gold, silver, and gemstone business area outside An Dong market also recorded scenes of closed doors. Many stores closed for unknown reasons.
At An Dong Plaza Trade Center (An Dong ward), a quiet situation also occurred at many gold and diamond stores. A series of shops closed, while some stores still operating also limited product displays, making the business area more deserted.
Explaining the situation of many gold, silver, and gemstone business stores closing down, talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Jewelry Association - said that in general, businesses trading and buying and selling gold are currently facing many difficulties.
According to Mr. Dung, many retail businesses often take goods from branches and production facilities. However, when taking goods, many cases do not have full invoices and documents.
Therefore, when the Market Management agency actually inspects goods at gold businesses, jewelry products often do not have complete input documents. Therefore, businesses may be penalized, have goods temporarily seized and suffer many other forms of handling. This makes businesses worried and hesitant.
Currently, many businesses do not display goods, do not keep goods at stores for sale because when taking goods, they do not have complete documents. When the Market Management Agency inspects and requests input documents, businesses do not have or do not have them fully, leading to being fined, temporarily seized, confiscated goods and subject to other forms of handling.
Besides, according to Mr. Dung, the current gold market in general is very sluggish. Goods cannot be sold, while consumers also buy less. Business activities in the market today are very slow, causing businesses to not be able to wholesale and some places have to close down on their own.
