Vietnam market surveillance and counterfeit enforcement

Authorities in Vietnam have intensified enforcement actions against market violations, specifically targeting counterfeit goods and intellectual property rights infringements.

In Hanoi, market surveillance officials conducted hundreds of inspections, resulting in over 513 violations and administrative fines exceeding 5.14 billion VND. These actions addressed various issues, including smuggled goods, pricing violations, and food safety, with nine cases referred for criminal investigation. Notable enforcement included a crackdown on counterfeit liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) facilities.

Subsequent enforcement in Hoài Đức and Bắc Ninh province focused on trademark infringement. In Bắc Ninh, economic police initiated criminal proceedings against an individual for violating industrial property rights after seizing over 1,000 items of clothing featuring counterfeit labels from major international brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Nike.

By August 2026, enforcement efforts expanded significantly. In Hanoi, Steering Committee 389 identified thousands of violations, including 189 cases of contraband and 204 cases of counterfeit goods. These violations frequently targeted health-related products such as food, milk, medicine, and cosmetics, often distributed through e-commerce and digital platforms. Criminal proceedings were initiated in four cases, with state revenue exceeding 1,780 billion VND.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs also reported a rise in criminal-related violations, particularly in maritime and air smuggling. Between mid-December 2025 and mid-August 2026, customs authorities handled 15,273 cases with an estimated violation value of 15,371 billion VND. Additionally, authorities intensified anti-drug operations, seizing over 785kg of various narcotics during that period, while increasing post-clearance inspections regarding product origin, intellectual property, and tax valuation.