Vietnam tightens enforcement against counterfeit trade following US IP warning

Vietnam launched a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit goods and intellectual‑property violations on May 7 after the United States designated it as a Priority Foreign Country in the Special 301 process. The U.S. Trade Representative opened a Section 301 investigation on May 29, probing whether Vietnam’s IP practices harm U.S. commerce.

Authorities seized thousands of counterfeit items, including more than 23,000 pairs of fake slippers bearing Nike, Adidas, Crocs and Gucci logos, and over 1,500 counterfeit products in Ho Chi Minh City markets. In the first half of 2026, Vietnamese officials reported 67,937 infringements – a 36.66 % rise year‑over‑year – comprising 5,723 IP violations, 5,220 cases of illegal transport and trade, and 56,994 instances of commercial and tax fraud. Penalties generated over 9,647 billion dong for the state budget, and 1,676 cases led to criminal prosecutions.

The crackdown targets major market hubs such as Saigon Square and Ben Thanh Market, as well as border regions with China, Laos and Cambodia, where illicit goods including counterfeit luxury items, cigarettes, alcohol and electronics are trafficked.