According to a report released by the Da Nang Department of Industry and Trade, the smuggling, commercial fraud, and illegal trading in fake, counterfeit and poor-quality items have become increasingly sophisticated in the city, especially at the end of the year.

Inspectors from the Da Nang Market Management Bureau making a surprise inspection visit to the Dong Da Traditional Market in an attempt to prevent illegal trading of fake, counterfeit, smuggled, and poor-quality goods at this venue.

Located on the North-South traffic axis, Da Nang is a convenient transit point for goods. Most of the fake, counterfeit and poor-quality items are sourced from other localities nationwide, or illegally transported into the city from its neighbours. 

Such goods as watches, glasses, handbags, jewelry, electronics, confectionery, wine, and accessories are among the most counterfeited items. People are often duped into buying counterfeit versions of name brand goods when they see a deal that seems too good to be true.

Mr Nguyen Xuan Son, the Director of the city-based Huong Que Production-Processing-Import Export Trading Company, remarked the rise of counterfeit products can potentially cause businesses to experience an increase in costs, as well as the loss of productivity. Most importantly, counterfeits can negatively impact a company's reputation and cost millions, sometimes billions, in lost revenue.

Mr Son highlighted the importance of stepping up action to stop counterfeits, smuggling and fraud, especially in the context of the rapid growth of e-commerce.

Picture taken at the BigC Mall Da Nang

In an effort to tackle the problem of counterfeit goods, the Da Nang Market Management Bureau has closely worked with relevant local agencies to increase their inspection visits to trading establishments across Da Nang in order to detect and timely handle violations relating to smuggling, fraud and counterfeit goods.

Mr Dam Van Tau, Director of the Da Nang Market Development and Management Company, revealed that his unit is partnering with the Technical - Environmental Safety Office under the municipal Department of Industry and Trade to attach QR code labels on products on sale at the Han and Con traditional markets. Mr Tau added, by scanning the codes on products' packaging, customers can retrieve all information about the products, including their origins.

Additionally, Da Nang inspectors will randomly take some samples of food at the traditional markets of Con, Han, Dong Da and Hoa Cuong in order to test whether or not they ensure food safety and hygiene.

All market stall holders will be encouraged to sign commitments to fight against the fake and counterfeit products trade.

In addition to raising public awareness of the consequences of illegal trading activities, functional bodies will increase their inspections of places which could be involved in the storage, transport and distribution of counterfeit goods in residential areas across the city.

By KHANH HOA - Translated by M.D