Binh Dien Commercial Area, located at the southwestern gateway to Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM), spans over 65 hectares. It connects the Mekong Delta's agricultural hub with TP HCM, a leading consumer market nationwide. Binh Dien market handles over 2,500 tons of goods daily, with an average transaction value of approximately 130 billion VND, creating employment opportunities for about 20,000 workers.

Wholesale markets primarily operate at night, posing various complex security risks. Recognizing this, the Binh Dien Market Management and Business Company, a subsidiary of Saigon Trade Corporation - One Member Limited Liability Company (SATRA), has implemented comprehensive solutions to ensure the stability of the supply chain not only for TP HCM but also for many neighboring provinces and cities.

Binh Dien market, one of the largest wholesale markets in the country. Photo: SATRA

"Ensuring security, order, fire safety, and food hygiene is a top priority at Binh Dien market. This commitment guarantees safe and efficient operations, meeting the demand for green, clean, and hygienic food supplies for TP HCM and the Eastern and Southwestern regions, especially during the peak season at year-end," stated Phan Anh Nguyen, Deputy Director of Binh Dien Market Company.

24/7 security monitoring center

Security forces at Binh Dien market maintain a 24/7 presence throughout the area. Nguyen highlighted that market security personnel regularly coordinate with local police and security forces for patrols, controls, and prompt assistance in complex situations. The market deploys security guards and nearly 400 surveillance cameras to monitor security, order, and manage traffic flow at key points and numerous entry and exit gates. Additionally, Binh Dien Market Company has collaborated with local authorities to implement a "socialized" camera surveillance system along roads and residential areas adjacent to the market, enhancing overall security effectiveness in the entire market vicinity.

Images from the surveillance camera system are continuously updated. This ensures that all incidents related to security, traffic safety, and fire outbreaks at the market are detected promptly by the Security - Fire Protection department's leadership on duty, enabling quick and effective resolution.

Through a joint plan signed between Binh Dien Market Company and local police, the company's Security - Fire Protection department works closely with Binh Dong Ward Police to promptly prevent, apprehend, and address crimes and legal violations occurring within the market area. These activities help traders conduct their business with peace of mind, contributing to the city's economic development.

Security forces are on duty day and night, addressing security, order, and fire prevention issues at Binh Dien market. Photo: SATRA

Recently, Binh Dong Ward Police and the security and fire protection team of Binh Dien Market Company coordinated for 5 hours to apprehend Tran Minh Tan, recovering and returning 118 million VND to a trader operating at the market.

At the commendation ceremony for the two units' "outstanding achievements in ensuring security and order at the market," Lam Quoc Thanh, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Director of SATRA, affirmed: "SATRA consistently supports its affiliated units in security operations, considering it a vital task integral to the Corporation's sustainable development."

Commendation ceremony for teams with outstanding achievements in protecting property and maintaining security and order in the Binh Dien market area, early November. Photo: SATRA

In addition to implementing the "security monitoring center," Binh Dien Market Company has focused on upgrading its fire suppression system, integrating mobile fire trucks. This allows security and fire protection personnel to respond promptly and effectively to fire incidents at the market. Given its bustling activity and diverse range of goods, vehicles, and equipment, the market faces a high risk of fire, especially during the dry season. Therefore, regular inspections and maintenance of fire prevention equipment, along with training to enhance fire fighting, rescue, and salvage skills, are always prioritized by the company's management.

Market security is managed through technology application, combined with strong consensus and unity from the market's trader representatives and representatives from various market stalls, alongside support from local authorities. This approach helps Binh Dien market progressively build a model for a civilized and modern wholesale market.

Model wholesale market

Beyond security operations, the management of Binh Dien Market Management and Business Company has implemented numerous solutions aimed at a modern management model and standardizing trade activities. From the market's initial days of operation, in addition to planning logical business areas and separating product groups to prevent cross-contamination, the company's management identified food safety inspection and supervision as a central, top-priority task. The company established a specialized department responsible for food hygiene, safety, and environment, staffed with expert engineers to monitor the quality of all food products traded at the market.

Furthermore, Binh Dien market actively participates in food safety chain development programs implemented by the city. Currently, Binh Dien is involved in safe food chains such as: pork, chicken, chicken eggs, and vegetables and fruits. Goods from these chains are supplied to the company's business segments, and after processing and packaging, they are distributed to corporate canteens, factories, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and hotels.

Fresh food items at Binh Dien market. Photo: SATRA

The Binh Dien Market operating board also collaborates with traders to introduce solutions for improving market operations. An oxygen supply system for the shrimp and fish stalls, which now uses electricity instead of oil-powered machines, has been put into operation with support from traders. The operating board also applies modern technology in managing goods at the market, such as building an automated toll collection system without stops; implementing identification rings for traceability, QR codes, and inspection stamps from the Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health for livestock and poultry meat; and expanding traceability to include vegetables, tubers, and seafood. The market also publicly lists porter service fees and closely monitors them to ensure security and prevent the exploitation of traders.

In the first 9 months of the year, the Binh Dien Market Management and Business Company's pre-tax profit reached an estimated 72% of its annual plan. This achievement stems from the market management's continuous efforts amidst current challenges.

The current period is a peak season for preparing goods for the year-end shopping phase. Market management stated that detailed plans have been developed to ensure a stable supply of quality goods at steady prices for city residents.

Hoang Anh