With the aim of connecting enterprises with management authorities in the fight against counterfeit and imitation goods and in promoting a healthier e-commerce business environment, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) directed the Business Forum Magazine to organize the forum “Trade fraud in cyberspace: challenges and solutions for prevention”.

Presiding panel

Participants included Mr. Vo Tan Thanh – Vice President of VCCI; Mr. Nguyen Huu Nam – Deputy Director of VCCI-HCM; Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan – Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety; Ms. Le Thi Ha – Head of the Division for E-commerce Activity Management, E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade); Ms. Ly Kim Chi – President of the Ho Chi Minh City Food and Foodstuff Association; Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Trang – Vice President of the Vietnam Consumer Protection Association; Mr. Nguyen Van Minh – Vice President of the Vietnam Flavor, Fragrance and Cosmetic Association; Mr. Mac Quoc Anh – Vice President and Secretary General of the Hanoi Small and Medium Enterprises Association; Associate Professor Dr. Truong Ngoc Nai – Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Drug Quality Control; Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tung – Vice President of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association; Ms. Nguyen Thuy Vi – Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Cotton and Spinning Association; Mr. Tran Ngan Giang – Deputy Head of the Market Surveillance Sub-department of Tay Ninh province; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong – Head of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Vietnam Direct Selling Association; Mr. Nguyen Phuong Son – Communications Director of Amway Vietnam; and Mr. Nguyen Thuan Dat – Chief Executive Officer of Duy Anh Fashion and Cosmetics Co., Ltd. (DAFC), representing the Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG).

On behalf of the organizing committee, the forum was attended by journalist Nguyen Tien Dung – Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Business Forum Magazine, and journalist Pham Hung – Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Business Forum Magazine. In particular, the forum also saw the participation of leaders and representatives of ministries, departments, organizations, and enterprises.

In his opening speech, VCCI Vice President Vo Tan Thanh stated that in the context of deep global digital transformation, e-commerce and online business activities have become an important driver of economic growth, expanding market access opportunities for enterprises and bringing many conveniences to consumers.

Mr. Vo Tan Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), delivers the opening remarks at the forum.

By 2025, e-commerce is no longer merely a supplementary channel, but has become an important component of the global and regional economic structure, closely linked with the development of the digital economy, platform economy, and innovation. Southeast Asia, including Viet Nam, continues to be assessed as one of the most dynamic bright spots, with high growth rates and great potential.

According to Mr. Vo Tan Thanh, in Viet Nam, e-commerce has maintained double-digit growth for many consecutive years, increasingly affirming its role in the distribution and consumption system and in enterprise development, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. This reality shows that e-commerce has contributed to expanding development space and enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.

However, he noted that alongside these significant benefits, the rapid development of e-commerce has also posed many serious challenges, particularly trade fraud, smuggling, counterfeit and imitation goods, and substandard products in cyberspace.

Taking advantage of the anonymity, cross-border nature, and difficulty of control in the digital environment, some organizations and individuals have deliberately exploited legal loopholes and engaged in dishonest practices, trading goods of unclear origin, infringing intellectual property rights, engaging in false advertising, and evading taxes, thereby causing harm to consumers and legitimate businesses.

More alarmingly, many products that directly affect public health, such as functional foods, cosmetics, and medicines, have also been counterfeited, with increasingly sophisticated methods. This is not only an economic issue, but also a social issue, directly affecting market trust and the sustainable development of e-commerce.

According to assessments by the National Steering Committee 389, in recent times, smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods have continued to develop in a complicated manner, with larger scale, wider scope, and greater sophistication, especially in the e-commerce environment and cyberspace.

“Violations are becoming increasingly diverse, ranging from the production and sale of counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringement, to trading goods of unclear origin without invoices or documents, placing great pressure on state management and distorting the competitive environment while eroding consumer trust,” Mr. Vo Tan Thanh assessed.

The forum attracts the participation of a large number of enterprises.

Mr. Vo Tan Thanh also noted that the National Assembly’s adoption of the new Law on E-commerce in December 2025, expected to take effect from July 1, 2026, is a timely and important step, demonstrating the State’s determination to完善 the legal framework, strengthen the management of online trading activities, combat trade fraud, and protect consumer rights.

However, he emphasized that translating policy into practice always requires coordinated action and shared responsibility among management authorities, law enforcement forces, e-commerce platforms, industry associations, and especially the business community.

As the national organization representing the Vietnamese business community, VCCI has consistently identified that building a transparent, fair, and healthy business environment is not only a management requirement, but also a core, long-term interest of legitimate enterprises and a foundation for enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.

For this reason, VCCI has directed Business Forum Magazine, in coordination with relevant agencies, to organize today’s forum in order to create an open and substantive dialogue space among management authorities, law enforcement forces, experts, and enterprises; to more clearly identify challenges and shortcomings in combating trade fraud in cyberspace; and to jointly propose feasible solutions suited to the rapid development of e-commerce in Viet Nam.

“All opinions and recommendations raised at the forum will be fully compiled by VCCI and reported to the Prime Minister and relevant ministries and agencies, contributing to policy improvement, the establishment of a transparent and fair business environment, and the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and enterprises,” Mr. Vo Tan Thanh emphasized.

At the same time, he affirmed that a safe, healthy, and responsible e-commerce market is a prerequisite for e-commerce to develop in the right direction, sustainably, and to make greater positive contributions to the economy.

He also expressed his belief that today’s forum will generate many practical opinions and valuable proposals, contributing to the prevention and rollback of trade fraud in cyberspace in the time ahead.