Smuggled and counterfeit goods: Another worry as Tet approaches...
During the last months of the year and the Lunar New Year holiday, the goods market enters a peak consumption period, leading to an increased risk of: the production, trading, and transportation of counterfeit and substandard goods, as well as commercial fraud.
In response to this situation, authorities in Nghe An province are implementing numerous decisive control and enforcement measures to protect the market and consumer rights.
Concerns about counterfeit and substandard goods.
In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), at local markets, bustling business streets, and especially on social media platforms, it's not difficult to find advertisements for "cheap Tet goods," "imported liquor," "imported confectionery," "authentic cosmetics on clearance," etc., at unusually low prices. Behind the attractive appearance, many of these products are counterfeit.Counterfeit goods, smuggled goods, goods of unknown origin., posing significant risks to users.
In reality, the end of the year is a "business season" for smugglers and those engaging in trade fraud. Taking advantage of the increased shopping demand leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), these individuals find every way to smuggle counterfeit and smuggled goods into the market. The infringing goods mainly focus on essential items for Tet such as food, confectionery, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and electronics.
On December 18, 2025, Team No. 10 of the Market Management Department of Nghe An province, in coordination with the Hung Nguyen Commune Police, conducted a surprise inspection of the cold storage facility of Hai Ha business in Tan Hop hamlet, Hung Nguyen commune. During the inspection, authorities discovered over 300 kg of animal offal without documentation proving its origin, showing signs of spoilage and posing a potential food safety risk.
Market Management Team No. 10 issued a report, imposed an administrative fine of 31.6 million VND, and ordered the destruction of all infringing goods.
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Previously, on December 7, 2025, Market Management Team No. 1, in coordination with the Dien Chau Traffic Police Station, inspected a truck with license plate 37D-013.29 driven by Mr. NVN (residing in Quynh Mai ward, Nghe An province), and discovered it was transporting 110 kg of pork of unknown origin for sale.
For engaging in the business of selling food of unknown origin, Mr. NVN was fined 28.5 million VND and ordered to destroy all the infringing goods.
Besides strictly controlling food and consumer goods, the inspection and handling of violations in the field of e-commerce have also been strengthened by the functional forces of Nghe An province. For example, on October 30, 2025, Team 2 of the Market Management Department of Nghe An province issued a decision to fine Kim Anh 98 business establishment in Nghi Loc commune 18 million VND for establishing an e-commerce website without fulfilling the obligation to declare to the management agency as required and for failing to fully disclose information about the website owner on its online sales page.
Strengthen inspections and strictly handle violations.
Given the complex developments in smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods during the year-end period, on December 24, 2025, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 1142/KH-UBND on the peak period of combating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.
According to the plan, the Provincial People's Committee requires departments, agencies, the People's Committees of communes and wards, and functional forces to implement comprehensive and decisive measures to control the market; to perform their functions, duties, and authority correctly, avoiding overlap; and to resolutely not cover up or abet violations. The focus is on strengthening coordination in inspecting and strictly handling acts of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods, especially essential goods serving consumer needs during the Lunar New Year.
Authorities are required to proactively monitor the situation, enhance information exchange and provision, coordinate inspections and controls, and promptly detect and handle violators. This will contribute to preventing and curbing the trade of prohibited goods, counterfeit goods, substandard goods, and goods that do not meet food safety standards in the market.
Along with inspection and handling of violations, the Provincial People's Committee requested the intensification of propaganda and dissemination of legal regulations in production and business activities; linking propaganda with handling of violations to raise awareness of law compliance among businesses, business households and people.
The Provincial People's Committee also directed the Provincial Steering Committee 389 and relevant agencies to proactively monitor the situation, identify key routes, areas, goods, and targets with a high risk of violations, especially during the period leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). Based on this, they should focus on strictly inspecting and controlling border areas, border gates, trails, and open routes; warehouses, collection points, wholesale markets, commercial centers, and online business activities.
The focus of the control efforts is on prohibited goods, counterfeit goods, substandard goods, goods that do not meet food safety standards, goods infringing intellectual property rights, and essential goods for consumption during the Tet holiday. Inspections must comply with legal regulations, and violations must be dealt with strictly and promptly, with specific responsibilities assigned to each agency, unit, and its head.
As the standing agency of the Provincial Steering Committee 389, on December 25, 2025, the Nghe An Market Management Department issued Plan No. 1155/KH-QLTTNA to implement a high-intensity campaign against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods. Accordingly, the Department will coordinate with relevant agencies to strengthen inspections, controls, and strictly handle violations; the implementation period is from December 25, 2025 to March 15, 2026.
Legally, acts of smuggling, manufacturing and trading counterfeit goods, and commercial fraud are all subject to strict penalties. Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, offenders may face administrative penalties, confiscation of evidence, forced destruction of infringing goods, or criminal prosecution as prescribed by law.
The Lunar New Year holiday is a time when consumer demand increases, and the risk of counterfeit and substandard goods infiltrating the market also increases. The vigorous fight against smuggling and trade fraud is not only a legal requirement but also a shared responsibility of all levels of government, sectors, businesses, and citizens, aiming to maintain market stability and protect the legitimate rights of consumers during the 2026 Lunar New Year.