During the initial phase of the campaign (from May 21 to June 15), the province’s interagency inspection team uncovered numerous violations involving counterfeit products and goods of unknown origin. Of 24 business premises, warehouses, and storage facilities inspected across the province, 13 administrative violations were recorded, resulting in fines totaling VND 133 million paid to the state budget.

The inspection team also destroyed on-site 310 units of food products without clear origin and 744 expired food and cosmetic items, with a total value of over VND 34 million. In addition, they seized and processed 1,330 boxes of smuggled hair dye (worth over VND 25 million) and 39 counterfeit Adidas sports pants (worth nearly VND 10 million).

The inspections revealed that smuggling, trade fraud, and violations of intellectual property rights remain complex issues. Common violations include the sale of goods without clear origin, expired goods, and counterfeit branded items. During the peak campaign period, numerous stores and kiosks in Noong Bua Market, Central Market 1, and along Võ Nguyên Giáp and Nguyễn Chí Thanh Streets were observed to have closed temporarily.

According to Lò Văn Âu, Deputy Chief of the provincial Market Surveillance Sub-Department (under the Department of Industry and Trade), this widespread closure was intentional to evade inspections, conceal non-transparent business practices, or dispose of illegal stock. Many of these stores reportedly had longstanding inventory without invoices or documents verifying legal origin.

The crackdown will continue beyond the initial period (May 22-June 15) and extend through the end of 2025, as directed by higher authorities, in response to consumer complaints or proposals from inspection team members. Functional forces will focus on inspecting businesses producing and trading in medicines, milk, food, and health supplements.

Inspection items include business licenses, compliance with conditions for conditional business sectors, quality standards, pricing, labeling, and, importantly, intellectual property rights. Samples may be collected for testing where necessary.

Building on the results of the recent peak campaign, market surveillance forces will further strengthen efforts to crack down on smuggling and counterfeiting, particularly fake milk, medicines, health supplements, and substandard food. Violators will be dealt with strictly.

Authorities also plan to commend exemplary individuals and effective practices in combating counterfeits, while increasing collaboration with other agencies to raise awareness and encourage active public and business participation in detecting and preventing violations early.