Ho Chi Minh City launches clampdown on counterfeit goods, intellectual property violations

The campaign focuses on online platforms and e-commerce activities, where authorities said counterfeit trading and copyright violations have become increasingly sophisticated.

Police in the city were instructed to closely monitor high-risk sectors including telecommunications, the Internet, warehouses, online sales networks, websites, mobile applications, digital platforms, payment systems, and logistics operations.

Authorities will also target 'online warehouse' business models suspected of facilitating counterfeit distribution.

Investigators were ordered to strengthen electronic data collection and analysis while dismantling criminal networks operating across provinces or international borders, especially groups coordinating both online and offline sales channels.

The city’s Department of Industry and Trade will work with related agencies to intensify market inspections and tighten control over distribution systems, retail channels, and e-commerce marketplaces.

Officials set a target of increasing the number of handled cases by at least 20 percent compared with last May.

Meanwhile, the Department of Culture and Sports was tasked with reviewing copyright violations in advertising, media, and publishing activities while proposing solutions to legal or administrative obstacles encountered during enforcement.

State media organizations were also instructed to publish more reports warning consumers about counterfeit schemes, intellectual property violations, and deceptive sales tactics, particularly on social media, e-commerce platforms, and live-stream shopping channels.

Authorities called for stronger efforts to counter false or misleading online information that could create public confusion.

Other departments and local administrations were directed to expand inspections and recommend penalties for intellectual property and counterfeit-related violations within their respective sectors.