Counterfeit and substandard goods are causing chaos in the market.
According to data from the Market Management Department, in 2024, more than 1,000 cases related to counterfeit goods were detected, mainly consumer goods such as food, cosmetics, medicines, and electronic devices. A recent survey by the Vietnam Consumer Association (VINASTAS) showed that up to 35% of consumers had purchased counterfeit or substandard goods through social media. The lack of control and the ease of advertising and selling have created a favorable environment for counterfeit products.
Counterfeit goods, especially food and cosmetics, easily reach consumers through online sales channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Zalo, and TikTok. Suppliers often use flowery advertisements, sometimes accompanied by fake certifications to build trust. These products not only harm health but also affect consumer psychology, making them skeptical and even distrustful of genuine products.
Ms. Pham Thanh Lan (29 years old, residing in An Giang province) frequently buys children's products through social media. One time, seeing an advertisement for a new type of powdered milk offered at a cheaper price than the market rate, she decided to try it. She didn't expect that after giving it to her child, the milk would cause a severe allergic reaction. Upon further investigation, she discovered it was a counterfeit product with an unknown origin. "I am very disappointed because I let my child use a product of unknown origin without checking it carefully," Ms. Lan said angrily.
Recently, the case involving Kera vegetable candy has attracted significant attention in Vietnam. This product is manufactured by Chi Em Rot Group Joint Stock Company and produced by Asia Life Joint Stock Company ( Dak Lak province). Kera vegetable candy was advertised on social media by many celebrities, including Quang Linh Vlogs and Hang Du Muc, with the claim that "one candy is equivalent to a plate of vegetables" in terms of fiber content. However, test results from the Center for Technical Standards and Quality Measurement 2 showed that 100g of the product contains only 0.51g of fiber, equivalent to about 1/6 of a banana. Kera candy also contains Sorbitol, but this was not disclosed to consumers.
Asia Life Company produced over 160,000 boxes of Kera vegetable candy for Chi Em Rot Group Joint Stock Company from December 2024 to March 2025, of which approximately 135,000 boxes were sold on the market. Consumers have expressed outrage and anger at being deceived about the product's quality. Many have demanded refunds or stopped buying this product...
Are Vietnamese consumers easygoing?
This is not an easy question to answer, but through real-life stories like Ms. Lan's and the Kera candy case, we can see that Vietnamese consumers are still quite lenient in accepting advertising information. Meanwhile, fraudulent advertising tactics and counterfeit products are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to identify. Although authorities have intervened, managing products on social media still faces many difficulties due to the intangible and easily changeable nature of online stores.
To protect their rights, consumers need to raise awareness and be vigilant about products with unclear characteristics. First, always check information about the supplier and reviews from customers who have already purchased the product. Second, prioritize shopping on large e-commerce platforms with clear consumer protection policies. Third, never be swayed by overly attractive advertisements, as these could very well be scams.
The proliferation of counterfeit and substandard products on social media is a problem that cannot be ignored. Vietnamese consumers, despite changes in awareness, still need a long time to become smart consumers. Furthermore, stronger action from authorities is needed to protect consumer rights.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nguoi-tieu-dung-lieu-co-de-tinh-a418613.html
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