On June 7th, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health announced that within just 3 weeks of the inspection campaign (from May 15th onwards), the department, along with the inter-sectoral inspection team, has penalized dozens of establishments, revoked numerous licenses, and transferred several cases to investigative authorities.
Hundreds of bottles suspected to be functional foods were discarded indiscriminately
According to the Department of Health, the Steering Committee 389 (comprising the Department of Health, City Police, Market Management, and Food Safety Management) has coordinated inspection and strict handling of violations related to drugs, medicinal materials, cosmetics, and medical equipment.
In 2024 alone, the Department inspected nearly 560 wholesale and retail establishments for drugs and medicinal materials, penalizing 147 establishments with a total fine of over VND 7 billion. The Drug, Food, and Cosmetic Testing Center of Ho Chi Minh City tested 413 drug samples, of which 15 failed to meet quality standards.
Following the Government’s directive on the peak period of combating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods in 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health established inter-sectoral inspection teams in collaboration with the police and the Food Safety Management.
After 3 weeks of inspections, 111 establishments in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical equipment were inspected, with 41 establishments fined for a total of over VND 2.2 billion. Additionally, 122 self-declared medical equipment records that did not comply with regulations were revoked, and several cases were transferred to investigative authorities.
From May 31st to June 6th, the District-level Health Departments and Thu Duc City also inspected 202 medical and pharmaceutical establishments, penalizing 8 of them with fines totaling over VND 133 million. Common violations included trading drugs of unknown origin, advertising cosmetics in breach of regulations, and improper classification of medical equipment according to norms…
According to the Department of Health, countering counterfeit and substandard goods is a long-term task that requires the joint efforts of the entire political system and the public. The Department has established a hotline 0989.401155 and the “Online Health” application to receive reports of violations from the public.
However, the situation of counterfeit goods remains complex, and the tactics employed are becoming increasingly sophisticated, indicating that current penalties are not sufficiently deterrent. The Department of Health will continue to propose increasing penalties and supplementing punishments for acts of complicity and cover-up to protect the interests and health of the community.
The Marshall Speaker Scam: Fake Products Still Flooding the Online Market
Despite the recent crackdown by Hanoi police on a large-scale counterfeit goods ring dealing in fake products of famous brands, Marshall speaker counterfeits continue to flood the online market.
“How Can Authentic Vietnamese Products Rise Above the Scourge of Counterfeits?”
“In addition to encouraging honest businesses and investing in quality, it is imperative to take a firm stance against deceptive practices, counterfeit goods, and substandard products. By restoring trust and making ethical values the market norm, Vietnamese goods can truly thrive, not just domestically but also in the international arena.”
The Once Bustling Hanoi Business District is Now Deserted.
In recent times, bustling business streets in Hanoi have fallen unusually quiet. Many businesses have temporarily shut down, not due to a lack of customers, but as a response to the new tax policies and mandatory requirements for electronic invoices. Additionally, the city’s crackdown on counterfeit goods has prompted traders to swiftly standardize their operations.
Unveiling the TV Show: “Fraud Fighters: Protecting Consumers”
The program was conceived as a powerful media tool to empower citizens with a deeper understanding of the nature of goods circulating in the market and their inherent qualities.
Unveiling the Dark Side of Ho Chi Minh City’s Pharmaceutical Trade: Unlicensed Medicines Flood the Market
For the past two weeks, Ho Chi Minh City’s health authorities have been cracking down on illegal operations, uncovering 18 establishments dealing in untraceable medications and improperly manufactured cosmetics.
