Addressing a conference in Hanoi on June 23, Chinh noted that despite progress made in fighting smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, the results remain fragile. Smuggled goods and fake origin claims are still a serious problem. Fake, substandard, and unclear-origin products are openly sold in many places, especially on e-commerce platforms, posing a direct threat to public health.

He acknowledged recent shortcomings in enforcement, saying in some places, oversight is lax and responsibilities between agencies are not clearly defined. As a result, smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property violations have become more complex and severe.

Therefore, the Prime Minister0020requested the development of a Government action plan to regularly and continuously carry out efforts to combat, prevent, and push back against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property infringement. In this plan, the Ministry of Health will take the lead and be responsible for the management of pharmaceuticals and food safety.

He called for the mobilisation of the entire political system, the public, and businesses to take part in the fight. He particularly underlined the need for swift and timely action to thoroughly eliminate the scourge of counterfeit medicine and food, as these directly affect the health and lives of the people.

He also demanded strict handling of intellectual property violations in the cultural and entertainment industries, as well as acts of fraudulent trading, scams, and false advertising in cyberspace.

The Government leader requested that ministries, sectors, and localities review and develop laws; regularly inspect and urge compliance; and strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of state management at all levels. Enforcement forces should launch operations continuously, not only during short campaigns, but regularly.

He also demanded close, synchronised, and effective coordination to protect consumers, support producers, and promote a healthy, fast-growing, and sustainable economy.

At the mid-year review conference, it was reported that activities involving buying and transporting contraband goods, smuggling, illegal transport, trade fraud, and counterfeit products remain very complex. Illegal transportation of prohibited, smuggled, unclear-origin, counterfeit, low-quality goods, and intellectual property violations were especially prominent. Items included petrol, oil, gold, alcohol, beer, sugar, cosmetics, dietary supplements, clothing, frozen goods, and household appliances.

Competent agencies and localities seized and handled 50,736 violation cases. Of them, 10,862 involved trading and transporting contraband goods; 36,604 involved trade fraud and tax fraud; and 3,270 involved counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations. As many as 1,875 criminal cases were prosecuted, involving 3,235 individuals.

During a peak month from May 15 to June 15 alone, competent agencies and localities seized and handled 10,437 cases of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, marking an increase of 80.51% compared to the previous month. More than 5,500 stores nationwide closed or temporarily suspended operations, awaiting opportunities.

The delegates proposed continuing to improve the legal framework, creating a solid basis for strictly handling smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property violations. They also called for stronger coordination and data sharing among enforcement forces, ministries, sectors, and localities.

Vietnam ramps up efforts against counterfeit goods amidst challenges: Minister

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien called for intensified market surveillance and stronger legal frameworks to combat the rising tide of counterfeit goods and online trade fraud while addressing at the 15th National Assembly’s 9th session on June 17.