Many ways to cope and avoid being tested
According to Lao Dong, at Ben Thanh market (District 1) - a market that attracts a large number of tourists in Ho Chi Minh City, the shopping situation is quite bustling, especially at the stalls selling branded handbags and glasses... These items are sold at super cheap prices compared to the genuine listed price, only from a few hundred to a few million VND. The common point of cheap "branded" products is that there are still many extra threads, many defective seams, and even some parts have peeling paint, fading...
Visiting a shoe stall, Ms. Le Tuong Vy - a tourist from Hung Yen was enthusiastically invited by the seller here. When she knew that Ms. Vy wanted to buy sandals, the seller immediately offered popular models on the market, including a few famous brands, but the price here was only half that of the genuine store.
"This C. brand sandal model costs more than 1 million VND/pair, but here it is only more than 500 VND/pair. The seller also told me to bargain, to make both parties happy, after a while I was able to buy this pair for 310,000 VND" - Ms. Vy said.
At the end of October 2024, the Department of Market Management (General Department of Market Management) coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department to conduct a surprise inspection of counters selling watches and handbags with signs of counterfeit trademarks at Ben Thanh market.
Through initial inspection, the Market Management force discovered 6 business establishments selling watches, glasses, and handbags with signs of violations of counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, and goods that infringe on the intellectual property rights of famous brands. The Market Management force drew up records and seized hundreds of watches, handbags, and glasses with signs of counterfeiting for further investigation.
On many streets in Ho Chi Minh City such as Nguyen Trai (District 5), Le Van Sy (District 3), Quang Trung (Go Vap District)... handbags, shoes, clothes... counterfeit brands are sold right on the sidewalk for a few tens of thousands of VND/item.
Increase frequent testing
Speaking with Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha - Deputy Manager of An Dong Market (District 5), one of the largest wholesale markets in Ho Chi Minh City - said that some traditional markets have large sources of goods, so the appearance of fake and counterfeit goods is inevitable.
“The business situation at the market has been quite difficult in recent years, most customers' tastes have changed, consumers have tightened their spending, causing traders to struggle to find customers. The Market Management Board regularly propagates and reminds traders about the issue of cheap goods of unknown origin. At the same time, it also regularly cares for and encourages traders, promoting online sales” - Ms. Ha informed.
According to lawyer Phan Thi Viet Thu - President of the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Consumer Rights, counterfeit goods and goods of unknown origin hinder economic development, cause social instability, damage businesses, and seriously affect consumers in many ways. Although counterfeit goods and counterfeit goods are being vigorously prosecuted, they have not been completely eradicated. Ms. Thu believes that the reason is that the penalties are too light compared to the profits gained from trading in smuggled and counterfeit goods.
The leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department also requested the Market Management teams to strengthen local management, promptly detect, prevent and handle acts of smuggling, transportation, trading of goods with fake labels and Vietnamese origin, fake trademarks, and infringement of industrial property rights in key areas such as: Saigon Square, Ben Thanh market, Taka Plaza, Russian market... and routes such as Nguyen Trai, Luu Van Lang, Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Cach Mang Thang Tam...
