Regarding the incident of an imported fruit store selling 3 grape clusters for 4.5 million VND that caused a stir in public opinion, on September 3, speaking with Lao Dong reporter, Mr. Dang Van Ngoc - Head of the Market Management Department (QLTT) of Lang Son province said that there had been conclusions and a decision to fine Huong Dang Fruit store.
Accordingly, on August 27, 2025, information appeared on Facebook reflecting an imported fruit store at 308 Ba Trieu Street, Ky Lua Ward, Lang Son City selling high-priced, spoiled products.
As soon as the incident was learned, Market Management Team No. 1, Market Management Department of Lang Son province issued a decision to assign civil servants to carry out professional measures. Working with the working group, the business owner, Ms. Dang Thi Huong, presented some VAT invoices ( Electronic print).
However, the Market Management Team discovered that the store still had many imported items with foreign printed packaging but no Vietnamese sub-labeles such as dried beef, seaweed, dried dates, Taiwanese pineapple cakes, M&D cookies, and some products that had not been listed at prices according to regulations.
On August 29, 2025, the Captain of Market Management Team No. 1 signed a decision to comprehensively inspect the business activities of Ms. Dang Thi Huong's household.
The verification results showed that the store violated two administrative acts including trading in smuggled goods and not posting prices according to legal regulations.
Market Management Team No. 1 has issued a decision to administratively fine the violation with a total amount of 10.75 million VND, and forced the store to destroy all violating exhibits.
The destroyed exhibits included 6 types of food goods originating from outside of Vietnam, without invoices or documents proving the legal import origin, with a total value of 19.53 million VND.
Specifically, 50 bags of dried beef; 2 bags of seaweed ( type 16 packages/bag); 25 boxes of dried dates; 5 boxes of Taiwanese pineapple cake; 4 boxes of M&D cookies, 5 boxes of fresh persimmons.
"Regarding the store's tax obligations, we are coordinating with the tax authorities to clarify," Mr. Ngoc added.
Previously, as Lao Dong reported, a parent reported on social media the purchase of 3 clusters of Korean milk grapes at Huong Dang Fruit store for 1.5 million VND/custom, a total of 4.5 million VND.
Facebook account V.D. posted a photo with the status: "The 4.5 million VND Korean milk pot includes 3 groups of crooked foods, all of which are advertised as imported fresh fruits. Let me ask if this price is reasonable?".
Ms. D. - a customer who reported - said that she ordered fruit at the store to celebrate her daughter's birthday, in addition to grapes, there were plums of honey, melons and cherries. The bill clearly states: Korean milk grapes are 1.5 million VND/cube (3 clusters of 4.5 million VND); plums are 250,000 VND/kg; melons are 180,000 VND/kg; cherries are 700,000 VND/kg. The total value of the order is nearly 8.5 million VND.
However, customers are upset because the grapes are not uniform, and are even suspected of a mixture of old and new products.
Immediately after I reported, the store refunded 500,000 VND and explained that it was the staff packing the product, not the store owners fault. However, the prices of the items remain unchanged, said Ms. D.
Immediately after the reflection, the Market Management Department of Lang Son province directed an inspection, clarification and determination of violations.
