VietNamNet Bridge - Markets in Tan Thanh border gate (Van Lang district, Lang Son province) in the early days of 2007 seem to be swollen with floods of people rushing into the area for shopping. Undoubtedly, goods on displays are plentiful, but a large majority are dubbed “contraband”.

On these days, the whole border town gets much busier than usual. Local dealers snapped the hot chance of the year to make profits. Some even use the sidewalks to open their shopping malls, displaying of goods innumerable in shape and pattern.

Vu Van Hieu, a worker at the Nhu Quynh Plastic Recycling Workshop in Van Lam district, Hung Yen province smiled broadly, adding that his team of over 30 workers made the best use of their three holidays to flock into Tan Thanh market for shopping. “We arrived here at dawn. My friends are now hunting for goods. It is the real paradise for shopping. Goods are at an incredibly cheap price”.

At the market place, customers are able to feast their eyes with diversified items of different colours, patterns and styles. Price seems to bring the nicest surprise to any shoppers, especially those who set their foot here the first time. A billboard writing “Only 100,000VND for 5 Guangzhou brand T-shirts” made many customers doubt themselves. Once being fully aware of the truth, they all jumped into selecting the best as lucky souvenirs for their family members and friends when Tet is drawing nearer and nearer.

Other goods of top choice are children’s toys and electronic devices. Wholesale dealers from different parts of the Northern provinces flock here in the hope that they can profit 3-5mil VND for each business trip.

Mr Doan, a youth from Gia Binh district, Bac Ninh province showed the great pleasure on his face: “I came here two years ago. My business runs smoothly, especially on some special occasion. For the last three days, thousands of people flock into the place to prepare for the New Year’s coming. Yesterday I earned 50mil VND. Incredible”. The young guy pointed at his shopping mall where many winter clothes and hats with Chinese marks were on display.

According to Mr Bui Van Phan, Vice Head of the Tan Thanh Border Gate Management Board, contraband goods in Tan Thanh market are quite rampant. Illegal goods are transported in very complicated ways, mainly in the night time and on the trails through the forests. In the past month, the border gate investigation team has seized seven smuggling cases worth around 50mil VND.

In addition to several goods selling like hot cakes such as children’s toys, clothes, blankets and electronic devices, this year there emerges a new product, the Chinese fireworks of different sizes and shapes. Such those items have an alluring power to attract customers, especially when the traditional Tet is approaching so soon.

(Source: Tien phong)