## Prime Minister Directs Intensified Efforts to Combat Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeiting
On May 14, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting with ministries, sectors, and central agencies to evaluate the efforts against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeiting in the first months of 2025 and discuss directions and tasks for the coming period.
According to the data presented, in the first months of 2025, units and localities intensified their efforts to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeiting, handling over 34,000 cases of violations. This included more than 8,200 cases related to the sale and transportation of prohibited and smuggled goods, over 25,100 cases of trade fraud and tax evasion, and more than 1,100 cases involving counterfeit and intellectual property rights violations. The handled cases resulted in the collection of over VND 4,897 billion for the state budget, with nearly 1,400 cases and over 2,100 individuals being criminally prosecuted.
The situation of smuggled goods and illegal transportation of goods across borders remains complex. Domestically, the production and trading of counterfeit, substandard, and unknown origin goods, as well as intellectual property rights violations, are still prevalent in many places. These activities have increased on e-commerce platforms, with large-scale and long-term operations. Additionally, there are issues with illegal invoice trading, tax evasion, and taking advantage of favorable import policies for smuggling and trade fraud that have not been timely detected and handled…
FORMING A SPECIAL TASK FORCE AND LAUNCHING A HIGH-PEAK OFFENSIVE
At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged the efforts made by the functional forces in directing the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeiting, intellectual property rights violations, and goods origin fraud.
However, he pointed out that these negative phenomena remain complex and widespread, significantly impacting socio-economic development, people’s health, and the country’s reputation and brand. They also affect trust and cause public concern.
The Prime Minister frankly stated that the causes include the lack of deep and proactive leadership, direction, and counseling from some ministries, sectors, and localities, which are not yet concrete, timely, effective, or focused on complex and newly emerging issues.
He also attributed the situation to management loosening by some agencies, outdated regulations that have not been timely amended or supplemented, limited implementation capacity, overlapping functions and tasks, and failure to mobilize the strength of the entire population.
Moreover, the handling of violations has not been timely or thorough, and coordination between agencies has been inconsistent at times. The rapid development of e-commerce has outpaced management capacity… Additionally, some individuals involved in the anti-smuggling force have themselves violated the law, as in the case of the recent arrest and temporary detention of the former Director of the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health)…
Emphasizing the complexity and potential for further challenges, the Prime Minister stressed, “The fight against, prevention of, and pushback on smuggling, trade fraud, and the production and circulation of counterfeit and imitation goods is an important task that requires the entire political system and local authorities to get involved. This is a long-term task that must be carried out regularly, comprehensively, and persistently.”
According to the Prime Minister, protecting the health, rights, and legitimate interests of the people and consumers must be the top priority. Therefore, there must be a breakthrough in preventing smuggling and trade fraud…
Particularly, the Prime Minister requested to first launch a high-peak offensive to combat, sweep away, prevent, and push back on smuggling, trade fraud, and the production and circulation of counterfeit and imitation goods.
The Prime Minister directed the formation of a special task force led by Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son. Localities will also establish task forces headed by their Chairpersons, with the participation of representatives from relevant sectors, to deploy the high-peak offensive from May 15 to June 15, followed by a review of the results.
MINISTRIES AND SECTORS ARE DIRECTED TO STRICTLY IMPLEMENT THE PRIME MINISTER’S INSTRUCTIONS
Assigning tasks to ministries and sectors, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to review the functions and tasks of ministries and sectors, ensuring no legal gaps and no loosening of management due to organizational, apparatus, or administrative boundary rearrangement.
The Ministry of Public Security was directed to instruct functional forces and local police to establish specialized cases and strictly handle violators. They should also coordinate with investigative agencies to expedite the investigation, prosecution, and trial of cases and publicize the results on mass media to deter and prevent such acts…
The Ministry of Industry and Trade was assigned to collaborate with provincial/municipal People’s Committees to direct the Market Management force to handle violations. They should also improve e-commerce policies and coordinate with relevant agencies to review legal documents within their competence. If it falls under the Government’s competence, they should propose amendments or supplements to decrees and resolutions or the promulgation of laws through the National Assembly in the shortest time possible.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade will lead and direct the Market Management force to take primary responsibility and coordinate with inspection agencies to inspect organizations and individuals’ compliance with the law in producing, trading goods, and providing commercial services. Specialized inspection agencies of ministries, sectors, and localities will be responsible for licensing and management in their respective fields and areas, especially for goods such as medicines, milk, food, and consumer goods…
Additionally, they should specify the tasks of the People’s Committees at the communal level in coordinating with departments, sectors, and management units to inspect and supervise production establishments in their localities. It is necessary to consolidate the Market Management force in localities.
The Ministry of Health was urged to take immediate action, especially to control and prevent fake and smuggled drugs with unknown origins from entering Vietnam.
The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade were instructed to collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen post-inspection and strictly handle violations, especially regarding fake food and drugs. They should improve post-inspection regulations and licensing procedures, aiming for effective control while ensuring flexibility. Efforts should be made to build a Law on Food Safety, revise outdated decrees and circulars, and strengthen sanctions.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was tasked with intensifying inspection, supervision, and strict handling of violations related to forestry, aquatic, and livestock products, seeds, fertilizers, and plant protection drugs. They should also enhance control over the use of stimulants and chemicals.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism was instructed to study and supplement sanctions for those who abuse their influence to advertise falsely, especially on online platforms. They should collaborate with relevant agencies to prevent false advertising, such as claims of “cure-all” medicines.
The Ministry of Justice was assigned to coordinate with ministries and sectors to promote, supplement, and perfect the institution to manage and promote production and business development…
The Prime Minister also requested the launch of a movement to combat smuggling, trade fraud, the production and circulation of counterfeit and imitation goods, and violations of copyrights and intellectual property rights.
He emphasized that agencies must have high determination, great efforts, and decisive and effective actions with a focus on key tasks. There should be a clear definition of “6 Clears”: clear persons, clear tasks, clear time, clear responsibilities, clear authority, and clear products in this work.
Launching an Intensive Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods
In early 2025, authorities and organizations mounted a robust campaign against illicit trade and counterfeiting. Over 34,000 cases of violations were addressed, demonstrating a strong stance against such practices.
Arrest of a Customs Officer for Aiding the Smuggling of Over 4,000 Cartons of Milk from the US to Vietnam
“Nguyen Thi Hien, a customs official in Ho Chi Minh City, has been implicated in a scandal involving the illicit importation of thousands of cartons of dairy products and nutritional supplements from the United States into Vietnam. “
Combating Counterfeiting and Smuggling: A National Imperative
In a world where authenticity is increasingly blurred, the proliferation of counterfeits, knock-offs, and unethical business practices is eroding trust and distorting markets. Unscrupulous tactics are undermining honest businesses, infiltrating traditional markets, e-commerce platforms, and even the shelves of upscale retailers. This insidious problem not only undermines business ethics but also chips away at public faith in law and fairness.
Special Task Force Established: Prime Minister Orders Crackdown on Illicit Trade and Counterfeiting
I hope that captures the essence of your request. Let me know if you would like me to make any adjustments or provide additional content related to this topic.
“In a decisive move, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the formation of a special task force to launch a crackdown on illicit activities, including smuggling, trade fraud, and the production and distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods, unknown origin, intellectual property violations, and intellectual property rights infringements. This intensive campaign, lasting from May 15 to June 15, aims to firmly tackle and deter such illegal practices, demonstrating the government’s strong stance against these issues.”
“Prime Minister Orders Special Task Force to Combat Counterfeit Goods in an Intensive Crackdown”
“The Prime Minister has called for stricter penalties to be imposed on individuals who misuse their influence to disseminate false advertising, particularly online. This move underscores the government’s commitment to curbing the spread of misleading information and ensuring that those who exploit their reputation to propagate untruths are held accountable for their actions.”
