Faced with the risk of supply loss and fire and explosion safety from illegal gasoline and oil collection and transportation across borders according to information reflected by some mass media, the Domestic Market Management and Development Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) has issued an urgent official dispatch requesting localities to strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations in gasoline and oil business and transportation in border areas.
According to the Domestic Market Management and Development Department, in the context of the military conflict in the Middle East continuing to develop complicatedly, affecting the global energy supply chain, the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have drastically directed to ensure national energy security.
Implementing Directive No. 06/CT-BCT dated March 9, 2026 of the Minister of Industry and Trade on strengthening solutions to ensure energy security, the Domestic Market Management and Development Department has coordinated with localities to synchronously implement many solutions to manage the gasoline and oil market, from forecasting supply and demand, regulating goods sources to strengthening inspection and supervision of business activities.
However, recently, some mass media reflected the situation of individuals and small traders in the border gate area, especially in Lao Bao (Quang Tri), showing signs of collecting gasoline and oil from retail stores. According to this information, the subjects proceeded to renovate transport vehicles, install additional fuel tanks to bring gasoline and oil to neighboring countries for consumption in order to enjoy price differences.
The above-mentioned acts, if not controlled promptly, may cause loss of domestic supply, and at the same time pose potential risks of fire and explosion safety during transportation and storage.
Faced with the above situation, the Domestic Market Management and Development Department has issued an urgent document to the Departments of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities, especially localities with borders, requesting to strengthen management, inspection and handling of violations.
Functional forces are requested to preside over and closely coordinate with the police, customs and border guards to monitor operations at gasoline and oil retail stores as well as on roads and waterways, promptly detect and strictly handle acts of hoarding goods or selling large quantities to subjects showing signs of smuggling collection.
Localities need to establish hotlines to receive people's feedback on illegal gasoline and oil gathering points, and at the same time strengthen the mobilization of gasoline and oil businesses to sign commitments not to assist smuggling and trade fraud activities.
The synchronous implementation of the above solutions is expected to contribute to strictly controlling the gasoline and oil market in the border area, ensuring domestic supply and maintaining market stability in the context of many fluctuations.
