Intensified inspections of goods during the Lunar New Year holiday.

These days, everyone is busy shopping for Tet (Lunar New Year), so both traditional markets and supermarkets are unusually crowded. The goods are quite diverse, ranging from cakes and candies, sausages and meat products, to fresh and dried foods, all attractively displayed by vendors…

Due to the high consumer demand during the Lunar New Year season, unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of loopholes to smuggle substandard or counterfeit goods onto the market.

Recently, on January 26, 2024, in Ham My commune, Ham Thuan Nam district, the Market Management Department, in coordination with relevant units, seized truck 72H-00122 transporting 270 kg of pig and goat offal and young chicken eggs of unknown origin, emitting a foul odor, destined for Phan Thiet for consumption. This is one of the cases that the Steering Committee 389 (against smuggling, counterfeit goods, and commercial fraud) has successfully prevented before the goods could reach the market.

To help people avoid buying counterfeit or substandard goods, from the beginning of January 2024, the Binh Thuan Market Management Department launched a high-intensity plan to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon 2024 in the province. According to the Market Management Department's assessment, the market situation generally remained stable. Supermarkets, shopping malls, convenience stores, and distribution and retail outlets proactively stocked goods, ensuring a sufficient supply without shortages or price spikes. The goods circulating in the market were diverse in type and style, meeting the needs of the people. During this period, the demand for essential goods increased significantly in January due to preparations for the Lunar New Year.

Prices of goods are generally stable, with rice and paddy prices increasing by 10-12% depending on the type (increasing from August to the present), while prices of eggs and dairy products have not fluctuated significantly. There is no speculation, hoarding, or unreasonable price increases in the market. The listing and sale of listed prices are strictly enforced. Gasoline sales in the area are stable; no gasoline businesses have been found selling at prices higher than the listed price, engaging in speculation, hoarding, creating shortages, or reducing sales time or quantity. The Binh Thuan Market Management Department organized a signing ceremony for 1,647 organizations and individuals involved in production and business, pledging to “Implement price listing and sell at the listed price. Avoid speculation, hoarding, and unreasonable price increases. Do not trade in counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, or goods infringing intellectual property rights. Do not trade in smuggled goods, goods of substandard quality, or goods that do not meet food safety and hygiene standards…”

Mr. Nguyen Tien Son, Director of the Binh Thuan Market Management Department, stated: "In recent times, the Market Management Department has implemented unified and coordinated plans to combat smuggling, counterfeit goods, and trade fraud, as well as market inspection and control throughout the province. Furthermore, the Department is strengthening its territorial management, closely monitoring the developments of smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods activities across sectors and areas to promptly detect and identify prominent issues. It is also focusing on emerging areas and types of infringing goods to combat and prevent them. We continue to conduct awareness campaigns for businesses and individuals in the area through diverse and practical methods, contributing to improved effectiveness in combating smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods. We are also implementing commitments to refrain from trading in counterfeit, smuggled, or substandard goods to further improve the market…"

TRAN THI.

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