Vietnam intensifies crackdown on fake luxury goods

International

VIETNAM has intensified its nationwide crackdown on counterfeit luxury goods as authorities moved to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection amid growing international pressure, particularly from the United States.

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‎The campaign began on May 7 after the Vietnamese government launched a nationwide crackdown on products and practices that violate intellectual property rights, including counterfeit goods, online piracy, and trademark infringements, a report by BBC said.

‎Earlier this year, police raided two warehouses on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, where they seized more than 23,000 pairs of counterfeit slippers bearing the logos of Nike, Adidas, Crocs, and Gucci. The fake products, valued at VND 2 billion (approximately £57,559 or $76,053), were confiscated as part of the government's intensified anti-counterfeit operations.

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‎Despite the crackdown, counterfeit luxury goods continue to be sold openly in major markets, including Saigon Square and Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City. Replica handbags, clothing, watches, shoes, and other luxury items remain available at prices far below those of authentic brands, attracting both local consumers and foreign tourists.

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‎The intensified enforcement follows an April report from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which identified Vietnam as a "priority foreign country" due to its "persistent failure to resolve long-standing concerns about IP protection and enforcement"—the first time in 13 years that a country has received the designation.

Vietnam was also described as the world's worst offender on intellectual property rights.

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‎Facing the threat of fresh tariffs, Vietnamese authorities pledged to increase intellectual property violation busts by at least 20 percent in May compared with the same period last year.

In mid-May, authorities conducted surprise inspections at Saigon Square and Ben Thanh Market, confiscating counterfeit merchandise and issuing fines totaling more than $19,000.

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‎BBC News reported that many vendors have adapted to repeated enforcement operations over the years. Some reportedly receive warnings before inspections, allowing them to hide counterfeit products until authorities leave. Although several stalls have reduced the number of logo-branded items on display, many sellers continue operating by keeping their stock out of public view.

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‎The report also noted that much of Vietnam's counterfeit supply chain originates from neighboring China, where imitation products are manufactured before being imported by Vietnamese wholesalers and distributed to retailers across the country.

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‎Authorities have expanded enforcement beyond Ho Chi Minh City. On June 10, police in Thanh Hoa province dismantled a syndicate that manufactured and sold more than 10,000 counterfeit jewelry items imitating brands such as Bvlgari, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. The operation uncovered an estimated $1.14 million in illicit profits generated by the counterfeit network.(Rojen Ann De la Cruz, PIT Comm Intern)