Hanoi tightens controls to curb smuggling and counterfeiting
Hanoi is determined to resolutely prevent, combat, contain and gradually eliminate smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringements.
THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi People’s Committee has ordered an intensified citywide crackdown on smuggling and counterfeit goods in 2026, signaling a tougher enforcement push to protect consumers, businesses and public health.
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 tasked with coordinating closely with relevant agencies to immediately roll out the plan in line with Government directives.
Inspection teams will be split into specialized groups to target high-risk sectors and commodities, with priority given to products directly affecting public health, including food, pharmaceuticals, functional foods and cosmetics.
Hanoi authorities on January 25 seized over 10 tons of frozen sausage food of unknown origin in Gia Lam Ward. 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.
Meanwhile, the local authorities will strengthen communication and dissemination of relevant legislation and encourage individuals and businesses to avoid aiding trade fraud.
Authorities have intensified inspections of e-commerce platforms and social media, flagging and penalizing many online shops and livestream sellers dealing in counterfeit luxury goods.
According to Trinh Quang Duc, 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 2026, as directed by the Vietnamese 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 Duc.
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.
“In its freshly-issued resolution on an action plan related to this fight, the Vietnamese Government has declared an uncompromising fight against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit and substandard goods, goods of unclear origin, and those that infringe intellectual property rights,” the director stressed.
These efforts are aimed at protecting the rights and legitimate interests of the people and businesses while safeguarding public health and safety, thus contributing to national security, social order, and safety and promoting fast and sustainable economic growth.
The plan aims to ensure that all officials and public employees uphold professional ethics, responsibility, competence and integrity, with strict punishment for anyone who covers up or facilitates violations, following the principle of “no concessions, no forbidden zones, no exceptions.”
