The situation of production and trading of counterfeit goods and goods violating intellectual property rights in Hanoi is still complicated with many new methods and tricks.
Notably, instead of segmented and covert trading as before, many subjects have taken advantage of the model of small business households, "online stores" or even established legitimate businesses to conceal illegal activities.
These "covers" make it difficult to detect and handle counterfeit goods, while posing great risks to consumer rights and a healthy business environment.
According to the authorities, the subjects often choose small business models, location distribution, combined with online sales via social networks and e-commerce platforms. Goods advertised attractively, with famous brands, cheaper than the market, easily defeat consumer psychology.
From small stores to large-scale online warehouses
Typically, recently, on the evening of December 8, the Inspection Team of the Market Management Department (QLTT), the Domestic Market Management and Development Department coordinated with the Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (PA05) - Hanoi City Police to conduct a surprise inspection of a sportswear store on Hoang Cong Chat Street (Phu Dien Ward, Hanoi).
Through inspection, the authorities discovered the facility operating without a license and displayed 6,414 sets of clothes of unknown origin, showing signs of counterfeiting Nike, Adidas, Puma brands.
Most of these goods are introduced and sold through e-commerce platforms.
The establishment is identified as operating under the form of a business household but cannot present a registration certificate according to regulations. The store representative said that the selling point has been operating since mid-2025 but has not yet completed business registration procedures.
According to the assessment of the authorities, this is a popular trick when subjects take advantage of small scale, located in residential areas to "hide" between legitimate trading activities.
Not only stopping at small stores, the online warehouse model is also being exploited to consume counterfeit goods in large quantities.
Recently, more than 7,500 fashion products with signs of counterfeiting the ZARA brand were discovered and temporarily detained by the Hanoi Market Management Team during an inspection of a business establishment in Ha Dong Ward. This facility also operates as a business household but has not registered to be established according to the law.
The owner of the establishment stated that the above goods were bought floating around the country, of unknown origin, then posted on his personal Facebook page "Phung Sim" for online sale, with images, instructions and selling prices under the Zara brand to attract customers.
According to the authorities, the common point of the above cases is that the goods are scattered and hidden in closed warehouses, deep in residential areas; the buying and selling takes place mainly in the digital environment. Consumers only access products through advertising images, making it difficult to verify the quality and origin, posing many potential risks when using them.
Resolutely blocking, no "banned areas"
The last months of the year are always the hottest time for smuggling and trade fraud. Violators often take advantage of the scarcity of goods and the "exorcism" mentality at the end of the year to smuggle poor quality goods into the market.
However, with the proactive spirit of "going first, taking the lead", very early, the Hanoi People's Committee and the City Steering Committee 389 issued a Peak Plan to combat smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods before, during and after the Lunar New Year.
A bright spot in this year's anti-smuggling work is the strong change in management thinking for e-commerce activities. Clearly identifying the trend of subjects turning to "hiding" on online exchanges and social networks, Hanoi authorities have promoted the application of high technology in their profession.
The authorities continuously review and screen websites and social media accounts with signs of trading in counterfeit and prohibited goods. sophisticated tricks such as livestreaming sales at closed warehouses, closing orders via hidden messages, or using express delivery units to "white-clear" the origin of goods... have all been identified and removed by the authorities.
The determination and synchronization from direction to implementation have created a "steel barrier", preventing the flow of smuggled and counterfeit goods, contributing significantly to stabilizing the market and promoting domestic production development.
