Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development.
At the recent seminar “Eradicating Counterfeit and Substandard Goods: Protecting Consumers and Enterprises” held by Thanh Nien Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, shared that the closure of traditional markets is partly due to the rising trend of e-commerce. However, two markets that abruptly shut down recently include the medicine market in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, and Saigon Square Trade Center.
“If you’re a legitimate businessman with proper paperwork and compliance with legal regulations, especially regarding taxes and goods, there’s no reason for your business to shut down. Other issues are everywhere,” asserted Mr. Nam.
On May 26, a task force from the market management force raided Saigon Square Trade Center, seizing numerous products that infringed on famous brands. “There are almost a thousand counterfeit Rolex and Richard Mille watches, protected brands in Vietnam, currently in my office,” he revealed.
Regarding intellectual property protection, Mr. Nam acknowledged that Vietnam has consistently been placed on the watchlist in reports on intellectual property rights protection. Authorities have been diligent in enhancing inspections and seizures of infringing goods, but limited resources coupled with the increasingly sophisticated nature of online counterfeit sales present significant challenges. Physical marketplaces, such as Saigon Square Trade Center in Ho Chi Minh City, remain a primary concern.
“Vietnam’s traditional markets, notably the Saigon Square Trade Center, were explicitly mentioned in the 2024 Market Review Report on Counterfeit and Piracy by the Office of the United States Trade Representative,” he informed.
However, the market management force is relatively small, with only a few dozen members collaborating with local police. In contrast, Saigon Square Trade Center alone houses over 200 stalls. Additionally, other markets like Tam Hiep and Dong Xuan are also causing significant concerns.
According to the market management leader, it is essential to educate everyone to become smart consumers. In foreign countries, if you carry a bag with a luxury brand like LV or Hermes through customs, and they find it to be counterfeit, you may face legal consequences or fines. Enterprises must also take responsibility and not shirk their duties. They cannot claim ignorance about the prevalence of counterfeits. As leaders of their companies, they should implement measures such as trademark registration, establishing a department to monitor the market and collaborate with authorities when necessary, continuously updating product designs, and utilizing anti-counterfeit stamps or similar methods.
Seizing Nearly 400 Counterfeit Goods of Famous Brands at Saigon Square
The Market Management Division’s task force, in collaboration with the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, has uncovered a significant counterfeiting operation. In their latest raid, they seized nearly 400 counterfeit items, including bags, wallets, and clothing, bearing the trademarks of renowned brands from two businesses operating within Saigon Square. This discovery underscores the persistent issue of intellectual property infringement and the crucial role of market management authorities in safeguarding legitimate businesses and consumers alike.
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