Market Surveillance: Proactively Safeguarding Production and Consumer Interests

Since October 2018, Vietnam’s watchdog has conducted over 666,000 inspections, penalized nearly 418,000 cases, and transferred 911 for criminal investigation. Violations amounted to over VND5,542 billion, with VND3,376 billion paid to the State Budget and confiscated assets valued at VND2,166 billion, according to the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development (DMS).

Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director of DMS, addresses the gathering on solutions to boost the domestic market

Cracking down on major violations harming human health

Having operated for just over two months under a new organizational structure, the market surveillance force has already uncovered several major cases. For instance, on April 25, Market Surveillance Team No. 3 under Bac Ninh Market Surveillance Department coordinated with the economic police department of Bac Ninh Police to launch an inspection into Vietnam Denger International Technology Corporation located in Nam Hong Area, Dong Ky Ward, Tu Son City, Bac Ninh Province. They discovered over 212,000 units of dietary supplements, mainly vitamins, collagen and glucosamine, all imported and labeled in English, with an estimated value exceeding VND20 billion. The corporation failed to provide any legal documents or invoices proving the origin and legality of the goods.

Vietnam Denger International Technology Corporation began operating in Bac Ninh province in March 2025, according to the market watchdog. All captured products have been temporarily held for further investigation to clarify potential violations.

In another case, nearly 11 tons of frozen beef and cow organs were discovered on April 28, 2025, by Market Surveillance Team No. 17 of Hanoi Market Surveillance Department in cooperation with Hanoi Police. These products were unpackaged or stored in unmarked plastic bags, with no labeling or documentation verifying legal origin.

Many of the food items were spoiled or gave off a foul smell. Authorities promptly sealed and seized all products to prevent them from entering the market.

According to Market Surveillance Team No. 17, the products were stored in cold storage warehouses in sparsely populated areas, often acquired and stockpiled very early in the morning, thus requiring more time and effort for surveillance and tracking, especially as purchasing, processing, preservation and distribution processes were performed discreetly and swiftly. The products were distributed for consumption across many provinces nationwide. These figures showed ongoing endeavors of the market watchdog and their successful efforts in maintaining order in the domestic market and safeguarding the legal rights and interests of businesses and consumers.

Market surveillance authorities gather to discuss solutions for boosting the domestic market

Tightening business control on digital platforms

According to Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development, a key solution for implementing the Prime Minister’s Project 319 on combating counterfeit goods in e-commerce is embracing digital transformation. Previously, local market surveillance officers were hesitant to handle violations on e-commerce platforms because investigations were time-consuming and sellers could easily delete or alter content and evidence. Today, however, they have been trained in digital skills, enabling them to actively monitor online platforms and social media to identify infringements.

E-commerce violation enforcement involves sensitive cases, including those linked to public figures, influencers, and top-tier TikTokers and Facebookers with millions of followers. However, there will be “no exceptions”. Violators will be held accountable, provided that there is sufficient evidence.

To strengthen oversight in the fight against counterfeit goods online, in November 2024, the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development signed a cooperation agreement with the Department of Security Industry (Ministry of Public Security) to implement various measures to combat counterfeiting in digital space.

This partnership includes deploying information technology systems, building databases, and developing digital solutions to improve the management of goods circulation in e-commerce, and enhancing their capabilities to resolve disputes, handle complaints, and protect consumers more effectively.

“Combating counterfeits in e-commerce will be a vital and strategic task in 2025. The entire market surveillance force will remain fully focused and strongly committed to ensuring a healthy, fair marketplace that protects the legal rights and interests of businesses and consumers,” Linh said.

In 2025, the market watchdog will continue to center on inspecting and handling counterfeit goods, intellectual property infringements and other misconduct on e-commerce platforms by enhancing the operational capacity of specialized units and improving the quality of legal advisory work and responsiveness of their actions.

One of the major solutions to gather public feedback is popularizing the consumer hotline at 1900.888.655. This hotline telephone number has been publicly posted on its website since 2019 by the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development (previously the Directorate of Market Surveillance). Over the past six years, the hotline has received nearly 2,050 calls and messages from consumers.

In particular, 121 reports had sufficient basis for investigation. Among them, 86 cases (71%) have been resolved while 35 (29%) are still under review.

Hence, the hotline has proven to be more than just a feedback channel between consumers and authorities, and it has become an effective market surveillance tool as counterfeit and smuggled goods continue to penetrate the market through increasingly sophisticated methods.

Additionally, to raise consumer awareness in the fight against counterfeiting, the agency is promoting the role of the Real - Fake Product Exhibition Center at 62 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi, which is aimed to become a trusted resource where both local consumers and international visitors can learn how to identify authentic and counterfeit goods.

In 2024 alone, the market watchdog nationwide unveiled and handled 3,124 violation cases in e-commerce, a 266% increase from 2023, and handed over four cases to investigative authorities. It also imposed administrative fines worth VND48 billion in total (up 220% over 2023). The value of violated goods was over VND34 billion, up 440% from 2023.

By Hien Quyen, Vietnam Business Forum