Fascinated by counterfeiting: what does Vietnam’s obsession with fakes really mean?

IN BRIEF Context: under pressure from Washington, THE Vietnam targeted for counterfeit And piracy, listed among the priority foreign countries. Reaction: the Prime Minister Minh Hung orders a national offensive and the immediate mobilization of resources. A specific target: to expedite the processing of applications intellectual property with a targeted increase of 20% starting this month. Perimeter: of online hacking to the physical counterfeitincluding practices of transshipment to circumvent customs duties. Challenges: preserving market access Americanprotect the model export and avoid new trade sanctions. Local impact: traders and consumers confronted with “fake”; implementation will affect the industrial and social ecosystem. Uncertain: the sustainability of measures will depend on the ability to transform structural practices.

Under pressure from Washington, the Vietnam launched a national offensive to combat the piracy and the counterfeita policy ordered by the Prime Minister Minh Hung aiming to mobilize resources and accelerate procedures. Registered by the UNITED STATES On a list of “priority foreign countries”, Hanoi has notably set itself the goal of increasing by 20% the number of cases processed compared to May of last year, covering everything from online commerce to physical products. At the heart of American concerns are also the practices of transshipment and the risk of further trade measures, including customs duties, within thirty days. In the streets of HanoiThe consumption of counterfeit parts remains commonplace, and the announced measures affect both the informal economy and the export chains of a model heavily geared towards…exportThe battle against counterfeiting thus presents itself as a diplomatic response but also as a matter of importance. credibility international trade.

Summary: Facing American criticism and placement on a “priority” list for violations of the intellectual propertyHanoi has launched a nationwide offensive aimed at reducing the piracy and the counterfeitUnder the impetus of the Prime Minister Minh HungThe government ordered the mobilization of resources and set quantified objectives to process more cases, while promising stricter controls on the origin of exported goods. This reaction reveals structural tensions: the social reality of counterfeit goods, the practices of transshipment denounced by Washington and the risks to the commercial credibility of the country.

A warning from Washington that forces Hanoi to react

Vietnam has been placed by the United States on a list of countries accused of having particularly harmful practices in the area of intellectual propertyThis ranking opens the door to a possible US investigation that could lead to new trade sanctions, including customs duties strengthened. The political and economic pressure exerted by Washington precipitated a public response: the Vietnamese government announced nationwide operations to combat, prevent and deal with these violations.

This warning is not unprecedented. High tariffs have been imposed in the past; the shadow of measures adopted under the Trump administration—including very heavy tariffs—looms over trade relations. The dynamic is clear: to preserve its trade with the American market, Vietnam is forced to demonstrate tangible results against the counterfeit and the online hacking.

Government measures and quantified objectives

The Prime Minister Minh Hung called for a general mobilization of the relevant ministries and agencies. Among the instructions, one specific objective: to increase by 20% The number of intellectual property cases processed this month has increased compared to the same period last year. The aim is to accelerate the pace of investigations and prosecutions, covering both physical and digital counterfeiting.

In concrete terms, this means more frequent police operations, more inspections in markets and warehouses, and enhanced coordination between customs, patent protection services, and judicial authorities. The government also announced stricter controls on theorigin of goods exported, in order to counter accusations of circumventing trade rules via transshipment channels.

A diplomatic message as much as an economic one

The announced crackdown aims as much to reassure Washington as to restore the international credibility from Vietnam. Official announcements show a willingness to transform, but implementation will require human resources, training and institutional adaptations to ensure sustainable results.

Counterfeiting is deeply ingrained in everyday life.

In the streets of Hanoi and other major cities, counterfeit goods are ubiquitous: copied designer clothing, refurbished electronics sold clandestinely, and consumer products sold at rock-bottom prices. For many consumers and small vendors, counterfeiting fulfills practical and economic needs. The phenomenon is socially accepted, sometimes even normalized, and contributes to income for numerous informal actors.

Local accounts make this dilemma palpable. For some, buying or selling copies is a pragmatic choice that provides access to styles or products that would otherwise be unavailable. For others, the industrialization of counterfeiting represents unfair competition for companies that invest in innovation.

An economy where “cheating” plays a structural role

Beyond individual acts, counterfeiting is embedded in a value chain that extends from artisanal production to informal distribution channels. Combating it is not limited to seizing batches of goods: it involves changing purchasing habits, offering affordable alternatives, and strengthening an accessible legal supply.

Transshipment, customs duties and risks for exports

Washington’s criticisms include the practice of transshipment Goods, often originating from another country, are reportedly transiting through Vietnam to avoid higher duties. US authorities believe that Hanoi sometimes turns a blind eye to these flows, which allow exporters to circumvent tariff barriers.

In response, the Vietnamese government has pledged to intensify the traceability of goods and strengthen customs controls. Reports and analyses emphasize that these efforts are crucial for maintaining access to the US market and preserving an export model heavily reliant on foreign partners. A recent analytical article details these challenges and the measures being taken: https://asiesudest.com/le-vietnam-intensifie-la-lutte-contre-la-fraude-liee-a-ses-exportations-vers-les-etats-unis-dapres-un-rapport/.

The importance of trade relations with the United States

The US market remains a major partner for Vietnam, which has signed agreements and negotiated compromises to avoid harsher punitive measures. In the past, high tariffs have been imposed and then eased after negotiations, but vulnerability remains: any deterioration in relations could weaken key sectors of the Vietnamese economy.

The fight against counterfeiting is thus becoming a diplomatic tool. By demonstrating results, Hanoi seeks to avoid sanctions and maintain favorable conditions for exports, without immediately disrupting internal social and economic balances.

Can an ecosystem be transformed without disrupting it?

The government announcements reflect a diplomatic and commercial emergency. But the crucial question remains the sustainability of the measures. Counterfeiting is not just a series of isolated offenses: it is rooted in consumption patterns, informal business practices, and transnational logistics networks.

To bring about profound change, it will be necessary to go beyond ad hoc measures: strengthening rights education, offering economic alternatives to informal actors, modernizing customs and judicial control capacities, and undertaking structural reforms that limit the attractiveness of the counterfeit market. Without these levers, progress risks being short-lived.

A fragile balance between sanctions and concessions

Finally, the interplay between taxation, market liberalization, and diplomatic pressure creates a precarious equilibrium. Past trade concessions—such as tariff arrangements in exchange for greater access to Vietnamese markets—demonstrate that any repressive strategy must be coordinated with a coherent industrial and trade policy.