At a press conference providing information on socio-economic issues in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of June 12, Mr. Nguyen Le Tan - Deputy Head of the Energy Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade said that Kim Bien market has long been a focus for chemical trading in Ho Chi Minh City, including industrial chemicals and other types that can be dangerous if not used, transported or preserved in accordance with regulations.
The Department of Industry and Trade has been coordinating with functional units such as the People's Committee of District 5, Ho Chi Minh City Police, PC03 Police Department, Market Management, Market Management Board... to implement many measures to strengthen management.
Chemical businesses in the Kim Bien market area are regularly reviewed, compiled and updated on the status of granting certificates of eligibility for business, as well as the list of goods. Establishments are required to sign a commitment not to trade in banned chemicals, restricted chemicals, goods of unknown origin, and strictly comply with regulations on fire prevention and fighting and chemical safety.
The Department also coordinates to organize periodic and surprise interdisciplinary inspections to detect and strictly handle violations such as trading in chemicals of unknown origin, without a license or improper storage.
According to the report, in the first 6 months of 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department and the Department of Industry and Trade discovered and handled 5 violations related to chemicals with a total value of violated goods of nearly 81 million VND, the fine was 58 million VND.
However, inspection and supervision work still faces many difficulties due to the form of small, mobile business, lacking clear signs. Many types of chemicals are complex mixtures, not on the control list or cannot clearly identify their dangerous properties without specialized analysis equipment and techniques. The human resources for the inspection and examination sector are also limited, while the number of business establishments fluctuates continuously.
In the coming time, the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City will continue to closely coordinate with the People's Committee of District 5 and relevant agencies to strengthen regular supervision and inspection, not allowing Kim Bien Market to become a "hot spot" for trading toxic chemicals that affect public safety and the environment. At the same time, management measures will also be applied widely throughout the city for establishments trading in dangerous chemicals.
The Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department will continue to direct the Market Management Teams to implement the 2025 periodic inspection plan, including chemical products. Other key plans are also being implemented synchronously such as preventing counterfeit goods and goods of unknown origin; post-inspections on food safety; peak inspection, handling of smuggling, trade fraud, intellectual property infringement... Depending on market developments, a thematic inspection plan will be issued for chemical products if necessary.
