Weapons including knives, swords, scimitars and even K59 guns are being publicly sold at several markets in HCM City.

Weapons widely sold at several markets. Photo by GTVT

“It’s necessary for people to have a weapon for self-defence. It’s easy to buy such tools at Dan Sinh Market in District 1,” a gang member nicknamed Hung “stunted” from Tan Phu District’s Binh Hung Hoa ward said.

When asked for an old flick knife, a male seller at Nam Chien store in Dan Sinh Market offered three brand new ones, saying that they were recently imported from China. The knives are sold at VND200,000 (USD10) each.

His store had run out of bayonets and old knives used by soldiers under former Southern Vietnam government. Goods would be available one week later.

“Flick knives were widely sold before but now due to tightened control by the market’s management board, we just sell these under the counter,” a woman from the Hoa Bien store in the market said.

At a market for second-hand goods on Go Vap District’s Nguyen Kiem Street, knives and swords are freely sold.

“There are several types of flick knives, scimitars and swords sold at the market. It’s also easy to order a metal moulder to make a sword,” Toan, a vendor at the market said.

According to metal moulder called Duc in Binh Hung Hoa area, a pair of 50 centimetre long knives cost VND600,000 (USD29). Goods are available three days after an order.

“Stunt” Hung shared that almost local gangs ordered Duc to make their weapons.

Japanese swords are also easy to buy. A trader who offered his goods on an online forum said that his store had 20 Japanese swords measuring from 80 centimetres to 1.2 metres long.

A pair of 1.1 metre long Japanese swords could be bought for VND4 million (USD191.7), including door-to-door delivery.

The trader said such goods were not only best sellers in HCM City, but in Binh Duong and Dong Nai Provinces.

However, Hung, 46, who is a cloth trader at Au Co Street in Tan Binh District said he knew somewhere with cheaper prices.

He said it’s easy to buy a K54 or K59 automatic pistol by asking a woman called Hoa who have lived in Laos for eight years. She often comes to HCM City to sell guns and sex toys.

Hoa said a K54 costs VND5.5 million (USD263.7) including 20 bullets while K59 costs VND8.5 million (USD407.5) inclusive of ammunition.

“There is also a store in District 10 that sells Chinese guns. You also get three bullets for free. Those who want more pay VND150,000 (USD7.2) per bullet, Hung said.

“I often buy such weapons from Thailand to Laos and deliver it to Vietnam upon orders. I don’t trade through Cambodia for fear of being arrested,” Hoa noted.

Airsoft colt guns are also sold in the city at around VND3 million (USD143.8) each.

Hoa is offering a K59

Japanese swords are available too