Ho Chi Minh City intensifies clampdown on counterfeit goods at Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square

At a socio-economic press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, the Ho Chi Minh City Market Surveillance Force under the municipal Department of Industry and Trade provided updates on efforts to combat the sale of counterfeit and trademark-infringing products at major commercial and tourist areas.

According to the agency, tackling counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations remains a key and ongoing task across both traditional retail channels and e-commerce platforms.

Since the beginning of 2026, authorities have inspected and handled 882 cases involving counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringements.

More than 77,100 products, including footwear, cosmetics, clothing, motorcycle parts, and mobile phone accessories, have been confiscated, with a total estimated value exceeding VND10.1 billion, or about US$383,500.

Authorities have imposed fines totaling more than VND5.1 billion, or roughly $193,650, and transferred two cases showing signs of criminal activity to investigative agencies.

In the Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square areas alone, officials handled 71 violation cases, confiscating 1,574 counterfeit products worth more than VND431 million ($16,365).

Fines exceeding VND307 million ($11,656), were issued, while all violating goods were ordered destroyed.

During a campaign conducted from May 7 to 20, Ho Chi Minh City's market surveillance authority inspected and handled 138 cases involving counterfeit trademark products and intellectual property violations.

The campaign resulted in the seizure of 7,287 products worth more than VND4.6 billion ($174,500).

The authority said it will further intensify inspections and deploy sufficient personnel for rapid-response operations to receive and verify reports and conduct unannounced inspections.

It will also coordinate with police and related agencies to launch simultaneous enforcement operations in hotspot areas such as Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square.

Officials plan to carry out awareness campaigns and require all organizations and individuals operating in the areas to sign commitments not to store, display or trade counterfeit trademark goods.

The crackdown will focus particularly on essential consumer goods sold through unofficial retail channels, agents, e-commerce platforms and social media channels.

Authorities are also establishing mechanisms for information sharing and coordination to promptly transfer serious cases to investigative agencies for criminal prosecution, especially repeat offenders or cases involving counterfeit goods valued at more than VND200 million ($7,600).

Major brands frequently targeted by counterfeiters have been urged to assign representatives to cooperate with authorities and provide quick methods for identifying genuine products to help shorten inspection times and simplify verification procedures.

The market surveillance authority added that it is coordinating with police to investigate and handle cases involving the use of loudspeakers, radios or communication devices to warn traders and help them evade inspections, as such acts may constitute obstruction of law enforcement under Vietnamese law.