Is 3-day suspension for overcharging at Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh Market too lenient?

Market monitors questioned the stall owner on Tuesday after the social media post alleged price inflation.

She said that the stall sold a takeaway order to a customer at noon on Monday, consisting of four bowls of bun mang vit, a portion of boneless duck, and a plate of salad.

She admitted to charging above the listed prices and not explaining the costs clearly to the customer.

She claimed a helper had made the sale and justified the higher price by citing the customer's request for extra meat.

In response, the management board suspended the vendor for three days, requested a written apology to the customer, and required the vendor to refund the price difference.

This decision sparked a debate, with several arguing that a harsher penalty was warranted.

A representative from the board told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that the three-day suspension aligns with the market regulations that have been in place since 2017.

These rules allow for a maximum seven-day suspension depending on the severity of the violation.

While the market has used the full seven-day penalty in previous cases, longer bans are rare and fall outside the board’s jurisdiction.

The official emphasized that the market’s regulations are based on guidelines from the city’s Department of Industry and Trade and must be approved by local authorities.

To make penalties harsher or change rules, formal proposals must be submitted to relevant regulatory bodies.

Improving oversight and customer feedback channels

Ben Thanh Market is expanding its mechanisms for receiving customer complaints.

In addition to staff stationed at the market’s 16 entrances, logbooks are placed at the four main gates where visitors can record grievances.

These complaints are reviewed and addressed daily.

The market is also leveraging digital platforms like Zalo, Facebook, emails, and hotlines to streamline communication.

In the coming time, customers may also be able to submit feedback using QR codes displayed throughout the market. 

Scanning the codes will allow direct access to an online feedback form.

According to the government’s Decree 87/2024, vendors shall face financial penalties for pricing violations:

– VND500,000-1 million ($19-38) for failing to list prices clearly or accurately

– VND5-10 million ($191-382) for selling goods above listed prices

– VND20-30 million ($765-1,145) for overcharging on price-stabilized goods during state-mandated price control periods