Vietnam launches month-long campaign against counterfeiting and trade fraud
Protecting health, legitimate rights, and interests of Vietnamese people and consumers must be paramount.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam has launched a month-long crackdown starting on May 15 on smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, low-quality products, and those of unverified origin, as well as products that infringe on intellectual property rights.
The move is part of the government's effort to protect consumer health, increase public confidence and the country’s international prestige as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the production and distribution of counterfeit goods, smuggling, and origin fraud are still widespread and difficult to address.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at a recent meeting on smuggling and trade fraud. Photo: VGP
At the government meeting on May 14, he ordered the setup of a special task force led by Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son to crack down on counterfeit and imitation goods. Local governments will establish their own task forces, which will be chaired by leaders of the provincial or municipal people's committees and comprise representatives from relevant sectors. These task forces will coordinate the crackdown during the designated period.
Prime Minister Chinh identified several causes of violations related to smuggling, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property infringement. These causes include weak leadership and lax management, outdated regulations, and overlapping managing functions.
He called for decisive measures to prevent and strictly punish these violations in order to protect consumer rights, ensure fair business practices, maintain macroeconomic stability, promote national development, and guarantee social order.
Unlicensed dietary supplements are seized from a store on Pham Hung Street in Hanoi. Photo: Chien Cong/The Hanoi Times
In the first months of 2025, relevant agencies detected about 1,100 cases of counterfeiting and intellectual property violations, 25,100 cases of trade and tax fraud, and over 8,200 cases of smuggling and trading banned goods. The offenders were fined over VND4.9 trillion (US$188.8 million), and nearly 1,400 criminal prosecutions were initiated, involving over 2,100 individuals.
Many experts attributed these offenses to the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks regarding e-commerce. Other reasons include insufficient accountability among management agencies, limited information exchange, and uncoordinated enforcement efforts.
The authorities are urged to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies and accelerate their anti-smuggling efforts. They have been asked to improve information sharing, ensure prompt reporting, and respond quickly.
Other measures include improving the quality of domestic production and consumer access, intensifying public communication, and conducting strict inspections.
