VietNamNet Bridge - Fake number plates have been sold publicly along many roads in HCM City for years but the authorities have not paid attention to it.

With only VND70,000-VND90,000 dong ($3-4), anyone can have a fake number plate. To get a nice number plate, with embossed and reflected emblem, one has to pay only VND350,000 ($17) (five digit plate) or VND400,000 - 600,000 ($20-30) (four-digit plate).

Hong Bang Street, the section from Ong Buong Bridge to Phu Lam rotation, is the most famous "fake number plate market" in Ho Chi Minh City. The road is more than 1 km long, but there are nearly 10 fake number plate making enterprises.

On the afternoon of July 31, correspondents dropped in a fake license plate making enterprise in Ward 14, District 6, which was ran by a young man of about 25 years old. The man said that the price is VND70,000 ($3.5) for a normal number plate and VND350,000 ($17) for a nice place number.

Asking him about the number plate with the national emblem, he said: "To have the national emblem, the price will be higher, VND400,000 ($20) for a four-digit plate and VND350,000 for a 5-digit plate. Fake plates just like the real ones, but be careful."

Correspondents visited another fake number plate shop which is right in front of the headquarters of the Quarter 2 administration, Ward 12, District 6. A woman said the price is VND130,000 ($6) for all kind of plates. She asked customers to deposit VND100,000 and told them to come back tomorrow to receive the plate.

The next days, correspondents returned to this place to take the fake number plate, which looked similar to an authentic plate.

On August 2, correspondents visited another fake number plate selling point on Vo Van Ngan road, Thu Duc District. A man offered: "Normal plate is priced VND70,000, being delivered tomorrow. If you want a plate with the national emblem, the price is VND600,000 ($30), available in one week. "

Law violations

Talking with fake number plate sellers, correspondents found out that the majority of fake license plate buyers are illegal racers, those who use illegally imported or stolen vehicles or the people who use vehicles for illegal acts.

Lawyer Do Hai Binh (Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association) said that producing fake number plates may be charged of production, storage, transport, trafficking of prohibited goods, under Article 155, the Penal Code. Violators face administrative penalty or a prison term of three to 15 years.

However, this article is only applied to those who produce or sell fake number plates marked with the emblem. Those who use fake number plates can be fined or their vehicles may be seized, Binh said.

NLD