It will also target those aiding smuggling, commercial fraud, and the production or sale of counterfeit goods.

The Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has issued a decision to establish the Task Force under the municipal People’s Committee to intensify efforts to prevent and combat crimes related to smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property violations.

The Task Force is led by Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

For pharmaceutical products and cosmetics, it is very difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine, counterfeit, and low-quality items. Photo: Tan Thanh

Deputy leaders include members of the city’s Steering Committee 389, comprising Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and Head of Steering Committee 389, as the Standing Deputy; Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade; Mr. Mai Hoang, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department; Mr. Truong Minh Tuan, Deputy Commander of the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard Command, and Do Thanh Quang, Deputy Head of the Customs Branch of Region II. Other members of the Task Force are also drawn from Steering Committee 389.

The Task Force is tasked with directing, inspecting, and urging relevant agencies, departments, and law enforcement units to implement Government Directive 65/2025, issued by the Prime Minister, which calls for a high-intensity campaign against smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property violations. 

It will also follow guidance from the Government, the Prime Minister, and the National Steering Committee 389 in combating these issues.

The Task Force will oversee inspections and propose actions against organizations and individuals demonstrating negligence, corruption, or lax management that enables smuggling, commercial fraud, or the production and sale of counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations.

Relevant agencies, departments, and law enforcement units are required to provide information on the status and outcomes of efforts to combat smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods within their jurisdictions or areas of responsibility, as well as case-related documents when necessary.

The Task Force will also evaluate and summarize the implementation of the directive, reporting on progress and proposing to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee strategies and solutions to address critical issues and enhance the effectiveness of efforts to combat smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods.