Strengthening the resilience of the commodity market.

In the first months of 2026, the market continued to experience significant fluctuations, with smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods remaining complex and unpredictable. In Thai Nguyen, thanks to the decisive involvement of the Steering Committee 389 and other functional forces, efforts to stabilize the market and combat trade fraud and counterfeit goods have yielded many positive results, contributing to protecting consumer rights and maintaining a transparent and healthy business environment.

Market Management Team No. 2 inspected a business at Group 61, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, and discovered that the establishment was selling 120kg of frozen food of unknown origin.

Strictly punish violations.

From the beginning of 2026, the Steering Committee 389 of Thai Nguyen province proactively implemented intensive plans to combat smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026. These plans were developed promptly, closely following the directives of the Government and the National Steering Committee 389, and were appropriate to the local situation.

Given that the prices of many essential goods are affected by the global market, the risk of speculation, hoarding, and unreasonable price increases is always present. However, thanks to the coordinated guidance of all levels and sectors, the commodity market in the province has remained basically stable, with no shortages or sudden price increases that would affect people's lives.

Authorities such as market management, police, customs, and health services have intensified coordination in inspecting and controlling the market, especially during peak periods. The supply of goods is ensured, fully meeting the consumption needs of the people.

According to the report, from December 15, 2025 to May 15, 2026, authorities in the province inspected, detected, and handled 556 violations involving 558 individuals. These included 88 cases of trading and transporting prohibited and smuggled goods; 86 cases related to counterfeit and substandard goods and intellectual property infringement; and 382 cases of commercial fraud, tax evasion, and other violations.

The total amount of fines, tax arrears, and proceeds from the sale of confiscated goods reached 38.7 billion VND, including over 17.6 billion VND in administrative fines, over 19 billion VND in tax arrears and additional penalties, and over 2 billion VND from the sale of confiscated goods. Notably, the authorities have initiated legal proceedings in 9 cases involving 11 defendants, demonstrating their determination in handling serious violations.

Local management efforts have shown that the trade in counterfeit goods, smuggled goods, and goods of unknown origin remains complex, with increasingly sophisticated methods and tactics. However, thanks to increased inspection and control, the open display and sale of counterfeit and substandard goods has been largely curbed.

Mr. Ha The Hung, Deputy Head of Market Management Team No. 5, said: "Recently, violators have often taken advantage of social media and e-commerce platforms to sell goods of unknown origin."

Transactions conducted through intermediaries without a specific address make inspection and enforcement difficult. However, market management forces have intensified monitoring, information gathering, and coordinated timely handling of many cases.

According to market management authorities, current fraudulent activities are not limited to the sale of counterfeit goods but have also expanded to include fraudulent invoices, documents, and misrepresentations of product origin. This requires functional forces to improve their professional skills and promote the application of technology to promptly detect and handle violations. Some product groups with a high risk of violations remain food, cosmetics, and essential consumer goods.

Mr. Ha The Hung advised consumers to be more vigilant and choose goods with clear origins. In addition, signing commitments with businesses has contributed to raising awareness of law compliance and reducing violations at the grassroots level.

Strengthen communication and ensure coordinated efforts.

Market Management Team No. 3 inspected a shipment of energy drinks and food products suspected of violating regulations at a business establishment.

Besides inspection and enforcement activities, the dissemination and popularization of laws continued to be emphasized. In the first five months of 2026, the province's media outlets published 145 news articles and reports reflecting the market situation and the fight against smuggling and trade fraud.

The content focuses on warning about high-risk product groups, disseminating legal regulations, and raising awareness among the public and businesses.

Coordination among relevant agencies is also regularly maintained through information exchange, inter-agency inspections, and timely handling of emerging incidents.

In particular, Thai Nguyen has completed the establishment of the 389 Steering Committee in 92 communes and wards, becoming one of the leading localities nationwide in implementing this model. As a result, the fight against smuggling is carried out down to the grassroots level, reducing gaps in local management.

Forecasts indicate that from now until the end of 2026, smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods will continue to be complex, especially with summer consumer goods, food, electronics, cosmetics, and agricultural supplies.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Loi, Deputy Head of the Thai Nguyen Market Management Department, said: "We will continue to closely follow the directives of the Government and the National Steering Committee 389, strengthen thematic inspections, focusing on essential goods and the e-commerce sector. At the same time, we will promote the application of technology and improve forecasting capabilities to detect and handle violations promptly."

In the coming period, the Provincial Market Management Department will focus on clearly identifying key routes, areas, and product categories; strengthening surprise inspections; promoting inter-agency coordination; improving the effectiveness of legal education and dissemination; and publicly disclosing violations to increase deterrence.

It can be seen that in the first five months of 2026, the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods in Thai Nguyen achieved many positive results.

The market remains stable, consumer rights are protected, and the business environment is becoming increasingly transparent. However, violations continue to be complex, especially in the digital environment and on e-commerce platforms.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202605/tang-suc-de-khang-cho-thi-truong-hang-hoa-4513398/