Authorities in HCM City seize hundreds of fake international branded products, including Gucci, Chanel, Patek Philippe, and Rolex, at Ben Thanh Market on October 31.
Officials from the HCM City Market Management Department raided six stalls selling clothes, bags, watches, and other accessories at one of the city's most famous tourist destinations on October 31.
Authorities seized 294 watches bearing famous brand names like Rolex, Cartier, Chanel, Patek Philippe, and Burberry and 116 Gucci, LV, Chlóe, Hermès, Montblanc, and MCM belts, bags and wallets after the shop owners failed to show papers showing their origins.
A representative from the department said that as they were checking the shops in Ben Thanh Market, many stores in the nearby Saigon Square Shopping Centre at 77-89 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street suddenly closed their shops.
Local authorities also found and dealt with similar violations in their last annual checks at Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square, and some other shopping centres selling luxury fashion items in the city in 2022 and 2023.
The department said it would continue to conduct more checks during the coming festive season when shopping demand will surge.