Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Since 2026, various functional departments in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam, have maintained a high-pressure enforcement stance along the border, rigorously cracking down on various illegal business activities such as smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods. To date, a total of 1,221 related cases have been investigated and dealt with throughout the province, representing a 26.53% increase in the number of cases compared to the same period last year, demonstrating significant effectiveness in border market supervision and rectification.
According to a report from the Lao Cai Provincial Steering Committee 389, the 1,221 cases investigated cover a wide range of illegal areas. Among them, 367 cases involved the illegal sale and transportation of contraband and smuggled goods; 692 cases involved commercial and tax fraud; and 162 cases involved the production and sale of counterfeit goods and infringement of intellectual property rights. Regarding case handling, criminal proceedings have been initiated in 231 cases, holding 406 individuals accountable; administrative penalties have been imposed on 957 cases. This round of special operations resulted in the collection of VND 18.72 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 39.39%; the total value of confiscated goods and related assets reached VND 23.52 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 39.02%.
In response to the evolving methods, increased concealment, and more complex business models of smuggling and commercial fraud, the Lao Cai Province Steering Committee 389 clarified its next steps. It urged relevant departments, local governments, and frontline law enforcement to comprehensively strengthen routine patrols and supervision along borders, at border crossings, along key transportation routes, and in domestic markets; to deepen collaboration among public security, customs, border guard, market supervision, and tax departments; to improve joint enforcement mechanisms; and to comprehensively enhance the efficiency of investigating illegal leads and handling cases.
Tran Phu Gang, Deputy Director of the Seventh Regional Customs Sub-Department, explained that local customs authorities have continuously optimized their regulatory models, strengthened intelligence gathering and analysis, and focused on key areas, key channels, and key industries to precisely combat smuggling, illegal immigration, commercial fraud, and the trafficking of drugs and precursor chemicals. Simultaneously, strict measures are being taken to address issues such as counterfeit origins, illegal transshipment of goods, and intellectual property infringement. While adhering to the bottom line of border supervision, the orderly conduct of legitimate import and export trade is being ensured, maintaining the stability of border economic and trade order.
Based on strict management and control at border crossings, local market supervision departments are simultaneously intensifying efforts to regulate the domestic market, focusing on key areas related to people's livelihoods such as food, cosmetics, agricultural inputs and fertilizers, pesticides, and daily consumer goods. They are also rigorously investigating various illegal business practices on e-commerce platforms, achieving full coverage of online and offline supervision.
Doo Bac, Director of the Lao Cai Provincial Market Management Branch, stated that the department has issued a special work plan, requiring all grassroots enforcement teams to closely monitor market dynamics, strengthen local regulatory responsibilities, and crack down on smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeiting, and intellectual property infringement. The focus is on investigating irregularities in the e-commerce sector, conducting routine special inspections on food safety and product traceability, and building a solid defense line for consumer safety.
The Lao Cai Provincial 389 Steering Committee analyzed that with the rapid development of the e-commerce and logistics industries, various illegal methods are constantly evolving and upgrading. Criminals often use e-commerce platforms, social media, and express delivery channels to circumvent regulations by falsifying the type, quantity, and origin of goods, forging product labels, and infringing on intellectual property rights, significantly increasing the difficulty of law enforcement and supervision.
It is reported that in the second half of 2026, Lao Cai province will continue to carry out special campaigns to combat smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods. The province will continue to strengthen supervision and inspection of border crossings, key transportation routes, warehousing and logistics hubs, and online digital business platforms, while also regularly conducting legal education and awareness campaigns to comprehensively improve the legal awareness of business operators and the public, curbing various illegal activities at the border and in the market from the source. (End)
