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National Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods: Intensifying Inspections and Strict Enforcement Measures Across the Country.

Administrator

12 June, 2025

## **Cracking Down on Illicit Trade: Intensified Efforts Yield Significant Results**

Market Management Forces in Lao Cai Province tighten their grip on the area. (Photo: qltt)

Numerous large-scale syndicates involved in the production and trade of contraband and counterfeit goods have been dismantled, thanks to the synchronized and vigorous efforts of functional forces during the peak month of anti-smuggling and anti-commercial fraud and counterfeit goods campaigns. These efforts have affirmed the rigor of the law, promoted transparency in production and business activities, and protected legitimate enterprises and consumers.

Focus on Hotspot Areas

Immediately after the issuance of the Prime Minister’s Official Dispatch No. 65/CD-TTg and Directive No. 13/CT-TTh on strengthening anti-smuggling and commercial fraud measures, ministries, sectors, and localities implemented numerous solutions to inspect and control commodities and sectors prone to smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeiting. The results after more than three weeks of inspection and handling have affirmed the rigor of the law.

During this peak period, the market management force of Hai Phong city focused on inspecting essential consumer goods that are prone to counterfeiting and smuggling, such as food, milk, health supplements, cosmetics, alcohol, drugs, and medicinal materials.

Consequently, in May and early June alone, 13 violations were detected, with nearly 5,000 products, including syrups, powders, candies, cosmetics, milk, functional foods, sausages, chicken feet, clothes, shoes, and accessories, being temporarily seized due to a lack of invoices and unclear origin. The total value of the destroyed infringing goods amounted to VND 231 million, while goods awaiting handling were valued at VND 155 million, and the collected budget revenue reached VND 231 million.

According to the representative of the Market Management Division of Hai Phong city, in the coming time, the unit will continue to tighten the inspection of wholesale markets, retail outlets, and warehouses in the area. The aim is to intensify the fight against smuggling and commercial fraud and ensure the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and a healthy business environment for bona fide enterprises.

Additionally, the Market Management Division of Hai Phong also recommends that consumers choose products with labels, QR codes for origin tracing, and complete invoices. It is advisable to purchase from reputable stores to protect your health and legitimate rights.

Inter-sectoral forces in Hanoi inspect a facility with signs of producing counterfeit goods. (Photo: qltt)

In the capital city of Hanoi, the Market Management Division also developed a plan to combat, prevent, and push back smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeiting, and intellectual property rights infringement in the city. Leaders of the Division instructed the rooms and Market Management Teams to strengthen market inspection and control in some hotspot areas in the city, such as Gia Lam, Hoai Duc, and Cau Giay districts.

As a result, the functional forces detected and confiscated numerous products with signs of invoice and voucher violations, and even counterfeiting. Notably, the inspection of a business facility at 64 Hang Giay Street, Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District, on May 28, uncovered a large volume of products, including perfumes and cosmetics bearing famous brands such as Giorgio Armani, YSL, Prive, Gucci, Lancôme, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Valentino, and Miss Coco. Many of these products lacked sufficient invoices and vouchers to prove their legal origin, and some exhibited signs of trademark counterfeiting.

In Ho Chi Minh City, on the afternoon of May 29, the Market Management Division’s Professional Affairs Office divided into six working groups and simultaneously inspected major business locations in different areas of the Saigon Square commercial center.

At these business locations, the inspection teams initially recorded a series of products bearing famous brands, such as Rolex, Longines, and Patek Philippe watches; bags and wallets from LV, Gucci, Dior, YSL, Celine, Goyard, Chanel, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, and Prada; and various models of Gucci-labeled glasses. However, all these products showed signs of counterfeiting the genuine brands, seriously affecting consumers’ rights and the reputation of the protected trademarks in Vietnam.

According to the Intellectual Property Consulting Joint Stock Company (IPT), a representative of the trademark protection unit for famous brands such as Rolex, BVLGARI, and Chanel, most of the products being handled by the inspection team showed signs of trademark counterfeiting. Notably, these products were sold at prices significantly lower than those of the genuine products.

Enhancing Inspection and Control in Localities

According to statistics from the Government Office, after two weeks of implementing the peak period, functional forces, units, and localities inspected, detected, and seized more than 450 cases of smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeiting, and tax evasion, with the total value of goods and exhibits amounting to tens of billions of VND.

These initial results affirm the strong commitment of the Government, ministries, sectors, and functional forces to creating a transparent, fair, and modern business environment.

Regarding the activities of the Market Management Force, in the past two weeks, the force has inspected, detected, and handled many significant violations and strictly handled them with the motto “handling one case to warn a whole area and sector,” “no prohibited area, no exception.”

Mr. Tran Viet Hung, Head of the Professional Affairs Office of the Market Management Force, under the Department of Market Management and Domestic Market Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade), shared that under the resolute and urgent direction of the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and directly under the Director of the Department of Market Management and Domestic Market Development, the Professional Affairs Office and the Market Management Force nationwide have reviewed violations in the e-commerce environment.

“Currently, the force has reviewed over 1,000 websites and stalls with business activities in the e-commerce environment. If violations are detected, the Department will resolutely handle them with the spirit of ‘no prohibited area’ as directed by the Government,” said Mr. Tran Viet Hung.

However, to control and eventually put an end to counterfeiting, according to Mr. Hung, it is necessary to build a shared database, as this is the optimal solution in the current context. In particular, active communication and propaganda about the harms and adverse effects of smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeiting, and intellectual property rights infringement are crucial to raising awareness and responsibility among officials, civil servants, and consumers. Additionally, disseminating the tricks and fraud methods of the subjects helps people be vigilant and promptly inform competent authorities.

Functional forces handle violations resolutely with the motto “no prohibited area, no exception.” (Photo: qltt)

Regarding Hanoi, Ms. Nguyen Kieu Oanh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said that the Department has directed the Market Management Force to continue to do well in inspecting, controlling, and managing the area. This is to prevent individuals and organizations from taking advantage of the situation to trade, transport, and store prohibited goods, contraband, counterfeits, goods of unknown origin and quality, especially in the e-commerce business environment and online sales. Strict handling of organizations and individuals engaging in smuggling and commercial fraud is imperative.

In this field, Mr. Trinh Quang Duc, Director of the Hanoi Market Management Division, added that the Market Management Force has proactively stepped up the grasp of the situation, identified routes, areas, objects, and key groups of goods, and coordinated inspection and control to prevent and combat smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeiting.

Duc Duy

– 08:54 06/11/2025