At Tan Dinh market, the number of customers has decreased compared to before as consumers have more and more shopping choices.
Mr. Tran Binh Nguyen - a small trader at Tan Dinh market - said that if talking about purchasing power in general, the number of customers at traditional markets has decreased quite a lot. Previously, when the market was still very bustling, entering the market was often crowded, and the roads were often almost full of people. But now, the number of customers has become significantly less.
In my opinion, small traders are competing with many other sales channels such as online sales, e-commerce platforms, supermarkets, shopping centers... These channels have advantages in terms of eye-catching goods display and diverse forms of customer approach. Therefore, small traders must also gradually adapt. Currently, many small traders have started selling online, livestreaming, using Zalo, Facebook to reach customers" - Mr. Nguyen said.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, non-cash payments are becoming increasingly popular in commercial activities in the city, from modern retail systems to traditional markets and small businesses. This result is achieved from the implementation of Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo, Decree No. 52/2024/ND-CP of the Government on non-cash payments, and digital transformation programs of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ms. Nguyen Le Thien Thanh - Deputy Head of the International Economics Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade - said that the "no cash store" model is one of the specific forms of concretizing the policy of promoting digital payments, with 3 main values.
First, the model helps to make transactions transparent, while reducing costs and risks in cash management. Second, digital payment helps digitize sales data, thereby supporting businesses to manage goods more effectively and more conveniently in accessing credit. Third, the model contributes to improving the experience and protecting consumer rights through clear transaction documents.
According to Ms. Thanh, the department has coordinated with the State Bank of Vietnam Region 2 and related units to organize connections and introduce payment solutions suitable for each model and business scale. The Department also mobilized banks and intermediary payment organizations to apply preferential policies on fees, support equipment and QR codes for business households and small traders. Bringing digital payments into the market can be seen as a small but necessary step for small traders to adapt. However, for traditional markets to retain customers, cashless payments are only part of the transition process. Small traders need to change their approach to buyers, combine direct sales with online channels and improve service quality.
