Hanoi seizes more than 1,600 counterfeit luxury handbags

THE HANOI TIMES — Interdisciplinary Inspection Team No. 1 of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department on November 5 inspected a handbag shop at 248 Thuong Yen, Chuyen My Commune, and found over 1,600 counterfeit branded handbags.

Truong Dinh Minh, Head of Market Management Team No. 14, said the owner of the shop, Nguyen Van Khuong, did not register a business in cases where registration is required by law.

During the inspection, officers found 1,610 handbags labeled “Chanel”, “Dior”, “MLB”, “YSL” and “Hermes” showing signs of counterfeiting trademarks protected in Vietnam.

The total value of the goods is estimated at VND168.8 million (US$6,410). The inspection team has seized the entire batch for verification and legal procedures. The administrative fine for selling counterfeit goods is expected to be around VND110 million (US$4,178).

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department Duong Manh Hung said demand often rises sharply in the last two months of the year, creating opportunities for trade fraud and counterfeit goods.

To prevent violations, Hanoi has formed two interdisciplinary task forces to combat smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods.

The teams include officers from Market Surveillance, municipal police, Customs Region I, the Tax Department, the Departments of Health, Agriculture and Environment and the Department of Science and Technology to target counterfeit goods, prohibited items, low-quality products, unclear origin and commercial fraud.

Inspections will cover business registration, licenses, invoices, labeling, quality standards, pricing, e-commerce and product origin to ensure compliance and market stability during the year-end shopping season.

All activities will follow proper procedures, remain objective and transparent and involve close coordination among agencies.

The Hanoi Market Surveillance force pledged to strictly address violations and protect consumers and businesses in the capital.