Crackdown leaves Hanoi’s largest confectionery hub quiet as stores shutter

On Tuesday, many businesses in La Phu Industrial Zone in Hoai Duc District, Hanoi, which houses numerous candy, soft drinks, and consumer goods suppliers, were found being closed, with streets unusually quiet, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters observed.

Shuttered storefronts replaced the previously bustling commercial scene.

Many traders have ceased public operations, with some displaying signs offering warehouse transfers or lease handovers.

Several shops continued to operate discreetly, only fulfilling specific orders.

Metal shutters were left partially open—just enough for deliveries or pickups to proceed without drawing attention.

At one store selling sweets, a delivery around 11:00 am was conducted through a shutter opened only after a knock from the delivery person.

At other locations, transactions occurred quickly through half-open doors.

Authorities carried out inspections at some locations, drawing attention from nearby traders.

One shopkeeper, when asked about how to make a purchase, appeared cautious and questioned whether the asker was from the market surveillance force.

A female vendor said stricter checks on invoices and documentation had forced many shops to temporarily shut down.

“If it’s a regular customer, I just call them directly,” she said.

According to police, the closures follow a campaign to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods.

Captain Dang Thai Ha of the Hanoi economic police agency said the unit is intensifying inspections citywide.

“In places like La Phu, many stores have not opened for days,” he said.

“They only raise their shutters for pre-arranged orders, and their stock is being brought in cautiously.”

He added that unverified products are often mixed with legitimate goods to evade detection, complicating enforcement.

Last Saturday, Hanoi’s economic police, in coordination with the city’s market surveillance unit, inspected several facilities in La Phu.

At one site, 62 boxes of chocolate and dried jujubes, valued at about VND27 million (US$1,035), were found without proper documentation.

Authorities seized the goods and fined the business VND57 million ($2,185) for trading in products of unclear origin.