Practical evidence from the first five months of 2026 in Điện Biên province indicates that while the market remains fundamentally stable and supply meets demand, activities such as smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods continue to pose significant risks, directly encroaching upon the legitimate rights of consumers.

Figures from the provincial Steering Committee 389 provide a vivid illustration of this reality as functional forces conducted 650 inspections over five months, detecting and handling 472 cases involving 519 violators. This included 263 administrative penalties, contributing over VND 6 billion to the state budget. Notably, a series of essential products like livestock meat, poultry, seafood, fruits, and processed foods were found without clear origins, despite being items that go directly into the daily meals of residents. Every substandard product circulating in the market represents a danger to public health.

Beyond administrative violations, other criminal acts were uncovered, totaling 209 cases and 252 individuals linked to food safety violations and illegal wildlife trade. It is concerning that trade fraud is increasingly seeping into daily life, with the sale of goods without origin or proper labeling persisting in traditional markets and small retail establishments. Meanwhile, the rapid development of e-commerce has become a loophole for the consumption of fake and low-quality goods. Transactions through social networks and delivery via express services make inspections and controls highly difficult, leaving consumers at risk of financial loss and health issues without easy recourse for tracking origins or filing complaints.

Nevertheless, a positive shift has been recorded in the receipt and handling of reports and the protection of consumer rights. The provincial Steering Committee 389 established a hotline to receive information from various sources, and in the first five months of the year, one case directly related to consumer rights was handled, forcing the violator to return illegally obtained funds to the buyers. Looking directly at the truth, however, limitations remain as violations remain complex, especially in border areas with rugged terrain and numerous trails. Personnel at the grassroots level are spread thin while holding multiple roles, and vehicles and equipment are lacking. The awareness of a segment of the population remains incomplete, with some even facilitating violations for immediate gain.

To protect consumer rights substantively, strong and practical solutions must be deployed synchronously. First, market management must be tightened from the grassroots level, increasing inspections of essential goods, especially food and consumer products sold in traditional markets and online. Violations must be handled strictly without prohibited zones or exceptions. Inter-agency coordination between the Police, Market Management, Customs, Border Guard, and Health Department must be enhanced to share information timely and establish major cases against large-scale rings. Particular attention should be paid to the border routes where risks of smuggling and prohibited goods are high. Simultaneously, e-commerce must be strictly managed by applying technology to monitor online business activities and coordinating with digital platforms and shipping units to trace origins and block counterfeit goods from the transaction stage.

Every citizen needs to raise their awareness, say no to goods without origin, and proactively denounce violations. When consumers become the eyes and ears of functional forces, management efficiency will multiply. Dissemination and legal dissemination must be pushed further, moving beyond slogans to reach every village, residential area, and business household. The foundation of nearly 700 organizations and individuals already mobilized against smuggling and counterfeit goods needs to be expanded. Protecting consumer rights is the responsibility of the entire political system and society, providing a platform for Điện Biên province to develop sustainably and integrate.