Recognizing that maintaining a steady supply of essential goods, stabilizing prices, and improving product quality are not only measures to protect citizens’ rights but also foundations for sustainable socio-economic development, departments and members of the provincial Steering Committee 389 have strengthened inspection and market control efforts. Recently, authorities conducted 177 inspections, identifying 127 violations, issuing administrative fines, and collecting over VND 1.1 billion for the state budget. More than 1,000 units of expired or unknown-origin cosmetics and food items, posing high risks to consumers, were destroyed. Authorities also confiscated smuggled and counterfeit goods. The market surveillance team alone handled 13 cases, including one intellectual property infringement and 12 cases of commercial fraud, with total fines amounting to VND 133 million.

Many violations have recently shifted to online platforms, making enforcement more challenging. E-commerce and social media sales hinder tracking and prosecution, as many perpetrators use fake accounts, forged identities, and frequently change addresses, all while current legal deterrents remain limited.

According to Vũ Hồng Sơn, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, to tackle the root of the issue, it is necessary to update the legal framework to keep up with the reality of digital commerce, and to increase the use of digital technologies in market supervision. Combining online transaction monitoring tools with traditional on-the-ground methods will allow for quicker and more accurate detection of violations. “We should also prioritize inspections in essential sectors such as food, medicine, and cosmetics. Consumer protection is not a one-day task, it’s a long-term process requiring a concerted effort from authorities, businesses, local governments, and citizens,” he added.

A persistent tendency to seek cheap prices and a lack of effort to verify product origins remain key vulnerabilities allowing counterfeit and low-quality goods to thrive. When shopping becomes too easy and consumers let their guard down, the market risks falling into a cycle of illegal trade. Therefore, public awareness campaigns must go beyond superficial knowledge and help people form habits of self-protection, especially in remote and highland areas where information access is limited.

Maintaining a healthy market cannot rely solely on penalties. At the core lies the need to build an ethical consumer ecosystem, where business integrity is respected and consumers are wise enough to reject “cheap but risky” deals. In an age where e-commerce is booming, the marketplace is no longer confined to traditional stalls but exists on every mobile device. A single click may bring convenience, or risk, depending on one’s awareness.

Technology can help track and analyze violations more effectively, but consumer awareness remains the most crucial factor. When people question abnormally low prices and choose what’s right over what’s easy, the market will move toward greater transparency. Every responsible purchasing decision lays a foundation for sustainable development.

From urban centers to mountain villages, from physical stores to online marketplaces, every purchasing choice reflects an individual’s stance toward the market. Smart, informed decisions will help shape a fairer, more sustainable commercial environment.