More than 5,500 stores closed during the peak period of anti-smuggling and counterfeit goods

During the peak period of fighting against smuggling and counterfeit goods, according to quick reports and statistics, over 5,500 stores closed.

Many small traders in Dam Doi district ( Ca Mau ) are afraid of not meeting the regulations in trading so they close their stalls.

At the regular press conference held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the afternoon of June 19, sharing the results of implementing the Prime Minister's Official Dispatch No. 65-CD/TTg on launching a peak period to fight against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property infringement from May 15 to June 15 nationwide and Directive No. 13/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on strengthening the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods in the new situation, Mr. Hoang Anh Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that through grasping the situation and according to reports sent by localities, there is a phenomenon of many stores and business households on the streets, traditional markets, and busy areas closing their stores. According to quick reports and statistics, there are over 5,500 stores closed, focusing on items such as food, functional foods, cosmetics, confectionery, clothing, household appliances, etc.

Pointing out some reasons for this situation, Mr. Hoang Anh Duong said that first, the business activities of these stores did not achieve the desired results. At the same time, the business model of traditional markets, stores, and shops was no longer effective in the face of the strong development of e-commerce. In particular, the fear after the authorities opened the peak period was also the reason why many stores closed.

In addition, some businesses have not met the legal requirements for invoice procedures, or there is still a phenomenon of selling goods without clear origin. When the authorities requested transparency of origin, the stores closed. Furthermore, the impact of tax calculation also caused many stores and shops to decide to close during this time.

The assessment of the authorities also shows that some businesses have been slow to change their business models, have not focused or have not focused on e-commerce as well as improving service quality or diversifying products to suit the trend. Another condition is related to seasonality, some stores have repaired or moved to new business locations.

Regarding the accusation that Ms. Chu Thanh Huyen had signs of violations in trading goods, specifically trading in smuggled cosmetics without Vietnamese sub-labels and not issuing sales invoices, Mr. Hoang Anh Duong shared that after receiving the information, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development coordinated with relevant agencies, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the provincial Market Management Department to conduct inspections and handle the case. After having specific results, the Department will inform the press.

Regarding some solutions to control goods on e-commerce platforms, implementing the direction of the Central Government as well as the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the market management force, directly the Department of Domestic Management and Development, has consulted with the Ministry's leaders to deploy some key tasks and solutions in the coming time. Specifically, proactively grasp the developments in the situation, smuggling activities, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, promptly detect and identify prominent behaviors, emerging areas to focus on inspection, supervision and handling.

In addition, the local school management force has been transferred to the Provincial People's Committee and the Market Management Department has been established under the Department of Industry and Trade. In the coming time, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development will also closely coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and centrally run cities to direct the school management force to effectively implement special topics or launch peak periods to inspect and handle violations, especially in the field of e-commerce. In particular, strengthen the management of the area, closely monitor warehouses, yards, gathering points as well as distribution and circulation activities.

On the other hand, it is necessary to review and propose competent authorities to issue regulations amending and supplementing the tasks of functional agencies in the direction of clearly defining the responsibilities of managing fields and areas of management, without overlapping according to the general direction. At the same time, participate in developing and implementing the development of decrees related to e-commerce after policy changes such as in the recent past.

Regarding the issue of fighting against smuggling and counterfeiting in e-commerce, Mr. Hoang Anh Duong said that the Prime Minister has approved the Government's Project 319 on fighting against counterfeiting and protecting consumers in e-commerce until 2025. In the coming time, the implementation of the project needs to be close to the situation as well as cover all scopes.

In the coming time, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development will exchange and share information with relevant authorities as well as press agencies to promote propaganda and dissemination activities. Along with that, promote the application of technology and data sharing to prevent this situation. On the other hand, the Department regularly works with associations as well as platforms to determine the origin on e-commerce platforms, minimizing the situation of counterfeit and fake goods.

Providing more information about the peak period against smuggling, counterfeit goods, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasized that not only the market management force but also the peak period against counterfeit goods, smuggled goods, and goods infringing intellectual property rights has attracted all forces to join forces. The peak period is from May 15 to June 15.

"There are also some concerns that if we focus too much and the media information is not complete, people may misunderstand that they will encounter fake goods everywhere. The Ministry of Industry and Trade's viewpoint after this peak period is to create trust for consumers; at the same time, create trust for manufacturers and businesses to confidently produce and trade to create high-quality goods, creating motivation to push back fake goods," Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan shared.

According to the latest data from the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, in the first 5 months of 2025, market management forces nationwide detected and handled 7,111 violations; the total amount of administrative sanctions was nearly 212 billion VND. Of which, administrative sanctions were nearly 94 billion VND; the value of infringing goods was nearly 118 billion VND (the value of destroyed goods, forced destruction was nearly 68 billion VND; goods awaiting processing was over 50 billion VND); the budget was paid nearly 110 billion VND. 53 cases with signs of criminality were transferred to the investigation agency.

Notably, during the peak month of preventing and combating smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods launched by the Prime Minister from May 15 to June 15, 2025, the force inspected 3,891 cases, detected and handled 3,114 violations with a total fine of more than 63 billion VND. Of which, the administrative fine exceeded 32 billion VND, the confiscated goods were worth nearly 31 billion VND and nearly 36 billion VND was paid to the budget. Notably, up to 26 cases with signs of criminality were transferred to the investigation agency, an increase of 50% compared to the same period in 2024.
HA (according to Vietnam+)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/hon-5-500-cua-hang-dong-cua-trong-dot-cao-diem-chong-buon-lau-hang-gia-414512.html