Hanoi steps up consumer rights protection efforts

The city authorities have planned to organize the "Action for Consumer Rights" program in 2025 as part of efforts to protect consumers amid violations in the markets.

In March, the city government launched a campaign under the slogan "Transparent Information - Safe Consumption" in response to the Vietnamese Consumer Rights Day [March 15].

Since early 2024, the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department has issued a plan outlining tasks to combat smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods in Hanoi this year. It emphasized the need for timely and effective dissemination of information on policies to prevent and crack down on these illegal activities in the city. 

Authorities inspect mooncakes of unknown origin during the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo courtesy of Hanoi Market Surveillance Department

Enterprises operating in the production and trade of goods have been provided legal advice to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods.

The plan also called for the press to step up coverage of the inspection and handling of cases to inform the public about the harmful effects of these illegal activities on the economy, culture, and public health.

Meanwhile, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has upgraded the hotline to answer consumers' questions and provide advice.

Hanoi has also promoted campaigns to improve public awareness of consumers' rights to better protect them.

From April to July this year, efforts to spread laws and regulations on consumer rights have been made across the city. The Hanoi Radio and Television Station has run regular programs on the subject. 

In addition, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has implemented the plan by organizing events such as the "Green Goods and Products for Consumers" fair with the participation of about 160 enterprises, which are required to display products with information, prices, origin, features, and instructions for use.

At the same time, district authorities have intensified inspection and examination (especially online business) and guide consumers to distinguish genuine and fake goods.

According to Duong Dinh Giam, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association for the Protection of Consumer Rights, although many cases of non-compliance have been detected and dealt with, the production and trade of counterfeit, fake and substandard goods are still common in the Hanoi market.

"Smuggled, counterfeit, and substandard products are prevalent in all industries, including food and beverages, cosmetics, functional foods, and pharmaceuticals. With products lacking quality guarantees, consumers are likely to lose money if they are not vigilant and fail to verify information or thoroughly investigate the source," Giam told The Hanoi Times.

"In particular, the use of e-commerce sites, electronic applications and social networking sites for live-stream shopping via Facebook, Zalo, Shopee, TikTok from residential areas, apartment buildings or from other provinces has made it difficult for authorities to pinpoint business locations," he noted.

Giam emphasized that counterfeit goods, fake goods, goods of unknown origin not only reduce consumers' confidence, but also affect their wallets, health, and interests. Therefore, it is very necessary to refine legal policies on consumer protection in order to maximally protect consumer rights.

The Consumer Protection Law of 2023, which officially came into force on July 1, 2024 (replacing the Consumer Protection Law of 2010), better defines the rights and obligations of consumers.

The city's interdisciplinary food safety inspection team at a Hanoi supermarket. Photo courtesy of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department

Duong Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department, said that in the first nine months of 2024, the department conducted more than 3,800 inspections, resolving over 3,500 infractions and recovering nearly VND70 billion (US$2.8 million) for the state budget.

"Most of these infringements involve the production and sale of counterfeit, smuggled or untraceable products, intellectual property piracy and substandard products. Breaches on online platforms have become more sophisticated as e-commerce continues to grow," Hung said.

He noted that authorities are conducting both planned and surprise inspections to deter violations. The current crackdown is focused on hotspots for commercial fraud and counterfeit goods, particularly in the e-commerce environment.

"As a result, there has been a significant change in attitude towards upholding the law in the area of consumer protection" thanks to timely action against these violations. It helps promotes sustainable growth in the e-commerce marketplace.  

"In addition, consumers need to take an active role in improving their knowledge of products and businesses to avoid falling victim to deceptive merchandising and fraudulent businesses," Hung emphasized.