The city would collaborate with a number of private companies to open the mobile stalls, Nguyen Nguyen Phuong, deputy director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said.

They have already opened 153 such stalls.

Many supermarkets said they have strengthened online sales but admitted their systems are always overloaded since too many people try to shop.

On Tuesday the department issued guidelines for the reopening of many traditional markets.

Some that were closed can now identify vegetable and fruit vendors who can sell their products while also ensuring social distancing.

But they must issue coupons to limit the number of shoppers entering at a time.

HCMC is in the sixth of 15 days of social distancing under directive 16, which prohibits people from leaving home except for purposes like buying food and seeking medical treatment.

It also shut down 148 out of 233 traditional markets and all three wholesale markets after Covid was detected among vendors and shoppers.

All street markets were closed in June.

For almost a week now people have been complaining about a shortage of food, especially vegetables, and a surge in prices of most products.

Big crowds waiting for their turn to enter supermarkets have become a common sight.

Vietnam’s biggest city is now its Covid epicenter with 19,405 cases as of Thursday morning.

Thi Ha