In the first half of 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade implemented a wide range of measures to combat smuggling and trade fraud, with a strong focus on e-commerce and intellectual property infringement. 

Nearly 20,000 violations handled

On the morning of July 7, the Government Office, in coordination with the National Steering Committee for Anti-Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Counterfeit Goods (National Steering Committee 389), held a conference to review anti-smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods enforcement in the first half of 2026 and outline priorities for the remainder of the year. Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc, Head of the National Steering Committee 389, chaired the conference.

Presenting the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s report on anti-smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods enforcement during the first six months of 2026, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, a member of the National Steering Committee 389, said that while Vietnam’s economy has maintained steady growth and commercial activity has remained vibrant, particularly in the e-commerce sector smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit production and trading, and intellectual property infringement have continued to evolve in increasingly sophisticated forms.

In line with the directives of the Government, the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee 389, the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Steering Committee 389 has proactively rolled out a comprehensive package of measures focusing on key areas, including petroleum trading, e-commerce, food safety, and, in particular, the fight against counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations.

As a result, during the first half of the year, the market surveillance force inspected nearly 24,000 cases, detected and handled almost 20,000 violations, and collected more than VND 330 billion for the state budget. The value of confiscated and infringing goods exceeded VND 208 billion. Meanwhile, 128 cases showing signs of criminal offences were transferred to investigative authorities for further handling in accordance with the law.

"These results have made an important contribution to stabilising the market while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of businesses and consumers," Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said.

Regarding intellectual property protection, in strict implementation of the Prime Minister’s Official Dispatch No. 38/CD-TTg and the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s nationwide enforcement campaign, the Ministry’s Steering Committee 389 directed its affiliated agencies to simultaneously implement a range of inspection, monitoring and enforcement measures across the country, with particular emphasis on violations occurring on e-commerce platforms.

The campaign delivered notable results within a short period. The Ministry coordinated with e-commerce platforms to remove more than 9,000 infringing products and block more than 2,000 online stores suspected of violating regulations. At the same time, the market surveillance force directly handled more than 300 cases involving online violations.

Authorities also dealt with more than 1,500 cases involving trademark counterfeiting and infringements of industrial property rights. The number of violations detected, the total amount of fines imposed and the value of confiscated goods all increased sharply compared with the same period last year, exceeding the target set under Official Dispatch No. 38/CD-TTg by 400%.

Notably, 24 cases showing signs of criminal offences were referred to investigative agencies, marking a gradual shift from administrative penalties toward stricter criminal enforcement against serious violations.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan noted that, alongside intensified inspection and enforcement efforts, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has also placed strong emphasis on improving the legal framework and strengthening preventive measures.

During the first half of 2026, the Ministry issued a Circular on product traceability for goods under its regulatory authority, a Circular on product and goods quality, and a Circular promulgating the list of products and goods classified as medium-risk and high-risk under the Ministry’s state management responsibilities.

In addition, the Ministry submitted to the Prime Minister the 2026 - 2030 Plan for Combating Counterfeit Goods and Protecting Consumers on Digital Platforms, aimed at building a modern regulatory ecosystem that leverages digital technologies, artificial intelligence and interconnected databases to enhance efforts against counterfeit goods.

Despite the progress made, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan acknowledged that combating smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods continues to face significant challenges. Offenders are increasingly exploiting digital platforms, social media and e-commerce marketplaces to conceal illegal activities, while the collection of electronic evidence and the assessment of intellectual property rights remain time-consuming. He added that legal sanctions for violations committed in the online environment still need to be further strengthened to meet practical enforcement requirements.

Strengthening monitoring, early warning and enforcement

Against the backdrop of increasingly sophisticated smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit production and trading activities, particularly in the e-commerce environment, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan outlined the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s key priorities for the second half of 2026.

First, the Ministry’s Steering Committee 389 will continue to strictly implement the directives of the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee 389, particularly the Politburo’s Conclusion No. 51-KL/TW, the Government’s Resolution No. 397/NQ-CP, and the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 02/CT-TTg. Priority will be given to the effective implementation of Official Dispatch No. 38/CD-TTg on preventing and addressing intellectual property infringement.

Second, the Steering Committee will direct its affiliated agencies to further intensify inspections and enforcement against the production and sale of counterfeit goods and products that infringe intellectual property rights, particularly on e-commerce platforms and in high-risk sectors and localities.

The Ministry will also strengthen coordination with intellectual property rights holders, e-commerce platforms, digital service providers and competent authorities to promptly detect, prevent and remove infringing products and online stores.

At the same time, greater use will be made of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, integrated databases and product traceability systems to enhance monitoring, early warning capabilities and enforcement effectiveness.

Third, with regard to its routine responsibilities, the Ministry’s Steering Committee 389 will continue directing its subordinate agencies to step up inspection and supervision in key sectors, including petroleum trading, food safety, e-commerce and other essential commodities.

In parallel, the Ministry will closely monitor market developments to ensure the timely detection and strict handling of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods, thereby contributing to market stability, protecting consumers’ legitimate rights and interests, and fostering a transparent, fair and healthy business environment.