“Operation Spring Clean”: Vietnam’s War on Counterfeits and Fraud

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam has embarked on a month-long offensive against illicit activities, including smuggling, trade fraud, and the proliferation of counterfeit, substandard, and infringing goods. The campaign, which commenced on May 15, also targets products of uncertain provenance and those violating intellectual property rights.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding consumer health, bolstering public trust, and enhancing Vietnam’s international standing. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored the pervasive nature of these illicit activities and the challenges they pose to law enforcement.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the issue of smuggling and trade fraud. Photo: VGP

During a government meeting on May 14, the Prime Minister instructed the formation of a specialized task force, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, to combat counterfeit and imitation goods. This top-down approach is mirrored at the local level, with provincial and municipal people’s committees establishing their own task forces, ensuring a coordinated nationwide crackdown during the designated period.

Prime Minister Chinh identified leadership voids and lax management as key contributors to violations involving smuggling and counterfeit goods, alongside outdated regulations and overlapping managerial functions. He emphasized the need for decisive action to deter and punish these offenses, thereby protecting consumer rights, fostering fair business competition, and supporting Vietnam’s macroeconomic stability, development trajectory, and social order.

Seized unlicensed dietary supplements from a store on Pham Hung Street, Hanoi. Photo: Chien Cong/The Hanoi Times

In the opening quarter of 2025, authorities uncovered approximately 1,100 instances of counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations, 25,100 cases of trade and tax fraud, and over 8,200 incidents of smuggling and trading prohibited goods. These offenses incurred fines exceeding VND4.9 trillion (roughly US$188.8 million), and nearly 1,400 criminal cases were initiated, implicating over 2,100 individuals.

Experts attribute these offenses to gaps in the legal framework for e-commerce, coupled with accountability deficits among management agencies, limited information exchange, and disjointed enforcement efforts. They urge authorities to embrace digital technologies to bolster their anti-smuggling capabilities, enhance information sharing, and ensure swift responses to illicit activities.

Additional measures advocated include enhancing the quality of domestically produced goods and improving consumer access, intensifying public awareness campaigns, and conducting stringent inspections to uphold Vietnam’s consumer protection and fair trade commitments.

Citation Citation 1 The Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with scrutinizing the functions of all ministries to plug legal loopholes and prevent enforcement and oversight weaknesses stemming from administrative restructuring. The Ministry of Public Security has been instructed to initiate special investigations, prosecute offenders, and collaborate with judicial authorities to expedite investigative, prosecutorial, and trial processes. Media publicity surrounding these cases is intended to serve as a deterrent and raise public awareness. The Ministry of Health is urged to act promptly to prevent the infiltration of counterfeit, smuggled, or illicit pharmaceuticals of uncertain origin into Vietnam’s pharmaceutical market. Amending intellectual property regulations, especially concerning digital platforms and e-commerce, falls within the purview of the Ministry of Science and Technology. They are also charged with intensifying inspections and enforcement against entities providing false product information. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is expected to take decisive action against individuals who exploit their reputations to engage in deceptive advertising, with a particular focus on social media platforms.

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