Định Công Green Market burns down in the early morning, vendors burst into tears as they watch billions of dong turn to ashes.

A massive fire at Dinh Cong Green Market in the early hours of December 23rd destroyed dozens of stalls in just a few hours. Amidst the warped corrugated iron roofs and thick black smoke, many vendors were shocked and wept as their Tet holiday goods, worth billions of dong, were reduced to ashes.

In the early hours of December 23rd, while many Hanoi families were still asleep, a large fire suddenly broke out at the Dinh Cong Green Market in Phuong Liet ward, waking the entire neighborhood in panic. In a short time, the flames spread rapidly, engulfing many stalls and transforming the bustling local market into a blazing inferno in the middle of the winter night.

According to witnesses, at around 4:00 AM, smoke began to rise from a kiosk deep inside the market. Initially, there was only a burning smell and a thin wisp of smoke, but less than half an hour later, the fire erupted fiercely, quickly spreading to stalls containing many flammable materials such as fabrics, funeral supplies, and household goods. Upon discovering the incident, many vendors could only run to a distance, helplessly watching their accumulated assets of many years engulfed in flames.

The scene outside the market left many heartbroken. Women who had been working at the market for decades burst into tears, some collapsing onto the sidewalk upon hearing the news that their entire family's stalls had been burned to the ground. "We just received our goods for Tet (Lunar New Year), and we haven't even had a chance to sell anything yet," lamented repeatedly amidst the blaring fire sirens and the thick, smoky air.

A small business owner selling bedding said that her family's shop was located on the outer row, where larger kiosks were concentrated, so when the fire reached it, there was almost no chance of saving it. The estimated value of the goods was about one billion dong. For many business owners, that was not only their capital but also their hope for a prosperous Tet holiday after a year of hard work.

The Hanoi City Police Fire Prevention and Rescue Force quickly mobilized numerous fire trucks and dozens of officers and soldiers to the scene. Firefighting efforts faced considerable difficulties due to the large fire, the narrow passageways of the market, and the corrugated iron roofs that completely covered the area. Authorities were forced to use excavators to demolish kiosks and create access routes to the interior to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading.

By around 7 am, the fire was largely under control. However, many smoldering spots remained inside the market, and the corrugated iron roof was heated, warped, and collapsed in several places. The sight of distorted iron frames, blackened stalls, and goods scattered throughout the walkways made the market space look desolate and heartbreaking.

According to authorities, the Dinh Cong Green Market covers an area of approximately 2,800 square meters with over 100 stalls. The fire destroyed dozens of stalls, causing significant property damage. Firefighters managed to protect about 2,000 square meters of the market area, including some outer rows of stalls and a transformer station, thus mitigating some of the damage.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Some vendors and residents believe the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit at a seafood stall, then spread to the area selling votive offerings and neighboring stalls. However, all official information awaits the conclusion from the authorities.

The fire at Dinh Cong Green Market occurred just before the Lunar New Year, a time when many small traders had invested all their capital in stocking goods for the peak season. Beyond the material damage, the incident also left a profound emotional shock for those who made their living from their small stalls. Amidst the smoke, flames, and rubble, the worry of "how to rebuild" hangs heavily over this once bustling market.

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