Nghe An joins hands to protect consumer rights.

Implement solutions in a coordinated manner.

In recent times, thanks to efforts to improve legal regulations on consumer protection, consumer protection work has initially achieved positive results. Community awareness of consumer protection has been raised; the system of agencies and organizations protecting consumer rights has been established and is constantly being strengthened…

In Nghe An province, the Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Association has intensified its efforts to understand relevant legal documents such as the Law on Consumer Protection, the Commercial Law, and guiding documents regulating violations in commercial business activities, in order to enhance coordination in inspecting and resolving complaints and protecting consumer rights. In some cases, after investigation and verification, the issues have been clarified.

For example, earlier this year, consumers complained that the Health Care Center at 35 Phan Boi Chau Street, Vinh City, was selling salt products with questionable prices and origins. After receiving the information, Market Management Team No. 3 inspected and verified that the salt batch was domestically produced, had proper labeling, and the establishment displayed the selling price. Both parties agreed on the terms of the transaction.

On April 15, 2024, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dat, from Dien Van commune, Dien Chau district, reported that an electronics supermarket in Dien Ky commune was selling Sunhaase Apex brand gas stoves that he suspected were of poor quality. After receiving the information, the Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Association Office worked with the Nghe An Market Management Department to investigate and verify the matter.

According to the inspection by Market Management Team No. 1, the owner purchased and used the gas stove beyond its warranty period; therefore, the supermarket agreed to repair it free of charge for the consumer. At the time of the inspection, the store owner presented all relevant invoices and documents related to the goods. After analyzing the above information, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dat accepted the inspection results.

In another case, a resident of Nghi Hop commune, Nghi Loc district, reported that he purchased a Son Ha brand water bottle from a local dealer. The product came with a 10-year warranty, but after only two years of use, it showed signs of malfunction. Following the complaint, Son Ha proactively contacted the customer to resolve the issue promptly.

Recently, Duc Phong Co., Ltd. reported an error in its water meter and requested a recalculation of the company's water consumption. After receiving the complaint, the Consumer Rights Protection Association worked with the parties involved to resolve the issue. On August 31, 2024, Nghe An Water Supply Company sent Official Letter No. 180/CNNA-KH to the Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Association acknowledging the meter's error, agreeing to replace the meter free of charge and reimburse the customer for the cost of the meter running faster than the standard.

However, in reality, when their rights are violated, very few people seek help from authorities for resolution and protection; many still do not know how to protect their rights and interests. Therefore, in addition to raising consumer awareness, it is essential for state management agencies to get involved and strengthen the role and responsibility of all levels of government to promptly detect and decisively address this issue.

Strengthen communication and raise awareness.

Currently, violations of consumer protection laws still occur. These violations primarily involve the production and sale of counterfeit, imitation, substandard, and expired goods, as well as violations of food safety regulations, goods of unknown origin, failure to display prices, and failure to sell at the listed prices. This results in property damage and harms the health of consumers.

With artificial intelligence technology, simply saying the brand names will bring up a plethora of product-related advertisements on your phone. The market is flooded with goods, and counterfeit and substandard products are also proliferating.

While the market is complex, many consumers are hesitant and afraid of conflict, reluctant to file complaints or lawsuits, leading to consumers often neglecting their rights when they are violated. Protecting consumer rights when purchasing goods through e-commerce is also difficult to control and handle effectively. Many people are disappointed upon receiving goods that are far different from the advertised images; when requesting exchanges or returns, the seller gives various excuses, even blocking their phone number or deleting their Facebook page...

Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, Chairman of the Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Association, stated: "In the coming time, we will continue to closely coordinate with relevant agencies in combating commercial fraud; strengthen propaganda activities through workshops and conferences to advise consumers on complaints. At the same time, we will raise consumer awareness of their rights and responsibilities, guide healthy and economical consumption; encourage domestic consumption, and protect the environment."

These activities are essential to protect the legitimate rights of consumers and safeguard the reputation of honest businesses in the province. They contribute to the government's efforts to prevent and reduce fraud in production, business, and services. This, in turn, helps create a healthy marketplace and promotes activities aimed at improving productivity, quality, and the economic and social efficiency of people's lives in the province.

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In implementing the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association's plan for the "Month of Action for Food Safety" in 2024, the Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Association has developed a plan for the month of action on food hygiene and safety and participated in monitoring teams organized by the Provincial Food Hygiene and Safety Sub-Department to assess food contamination risks. In coordination with the Inspection Team of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, they directly collected samples of gasoline, oil, and gold from businesses throughout the province for quality testing. Simultaneously, they conducted numerous activities to advise consumers on purchasing goods and to encourage businesses to limit the use of plastic bags when shopping to protect the environment…