Sales of fake products are rampant in the market, and authorities say they are facing various difficulties trying to curb the problem, blaming consumer demand.
Fake helmets displayed on the street
The Department of Industry and Trade in Hau Giang Province reported finding fake products in almost every sector, from cheap items in street shops to high values commodities in supermarkets. There is major concern that many fakes may pose a high risk to consumer health and safety, apart from damaging the reputation of legitimate brand names.
Hau Giang Province authorities said the most difficult part of the problem was not how to distinguish between genuine and fake products, but the complicated procedures involved in policing them.
In order to deal with shops that sell fake products, officials had first to take samples and acquire verification that the items are fake, but by the time the paperwork has been done, the fake items in question have been sent elsewhere.
Officials need a request from a company citing its products were being imitated, but many companies do not want to disclose they are being copied for fear of damaging their reputation.
Penalties, mostly fines, vary and the maximum fine of VND250m is not considered much of a deterrent considering the huge profits made by traders of cheap copies.
The authorities maintain that consumer demand is the biggest obstacle to cracking down on fake goods -- many people will buy them even knowing they are copies and are willing to engage in cash transactions without the need for invoices or documentation.
The Department of Industry and Trade in Hau Giang suggested enterprises closely monitor the consumption of their goods and join hands with other firms to prevent fake goods. They also said consumers should protect themselves by saying "no" with fake goods.
