Hanoi intensifies counterfeit crackdown
These efforts help create a transparent business environment that protects the legitimate rights and interests of manufacturers, businesses, and consumers.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi People's Committee has establish an interdisciplinary team to step up the crackdown on the smuggling, production, and trading of counterfeit goods.
The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, which serves as the standing body of the city’s Steering Committee 389 on combating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, has been assigned to preside over and coordinate with the relevant units and People's Committees of the districts, ensuring strict implementation of the instructions issued by the Vietnamese Government.
The team will be divided into groups to inspect and review the smuggling, production, and trading of counterfeit and substandard goods within the city. The focus will be on sectors and items at high risk of non-compliance, particularly products that directly affect people's health, such as food, medicine, functional foods, and cosmetics.
Authorities inspect goods of unknown origin at a grocery store in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Agency
The inspection results will enable the working groups to advise the Hanoi People's Committee on solutions to improve the work against trade fraud and counterfeit goods.
The local authorities will strengthen communication and dissemination of relevant legislation, and encourage individuals and businesses to avoid aiding trade fraud.
According to a Hanoi People's Committee report, the competent forces under the city's Steering Committee 389 have disclosed many cases involving the production and sale of fake milk, drugs, food, and functional foods.
During the one-month crackdown on counterfeit goods (May 15 to June 15), countless incidents were reported in Hanoi alone, ranging from fake branded clothes to smuggled goods. On June 9, officials inspected four cosmetics businesses in Hanoi and found 3,500 illegally imported products of unknown origin.
A massive ring producing and trading fake dietary supplements was also uncovered, and over 100 tons of counterfeit goods valued at more than VND77 billion (US$2.9 million) were seized. From January to May of 2025, Hanoi reported 8,770 cases of smuggling and commercial fraud, resulting in total fines and seizures of over VND2.1 trillion ($80.7 million).
Inspections of e-commerce platforms and social media, considered fertile ground for counterfeit goods, have intensified. Many online shops and live stream sellers promoting fake luxury items have been flagged and penalized.
According to Chu Xuan Kien, Director of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Agency, the city's market watchdogs will step up activities to control smuggling, trade fraud, and the production of counterfeit goods from now until the end of 2025, as directed by the government.
The agency will collaborate with the police, customs, the Hanoi Department of Taxation, and different ministries to strengthen market control.
“An interdisciplinary working group in Hanoi is actively combating counterfeit goods through inspections, investigations, and public awareness campaigns,” said Kien.
Led by the Hanoi Market Surveillance Agency, this group will focus on preventing smuggling, trade fraud, and intellectual property rights violations in physical markets and online platforms, such as e-commerce sites and social media.
