It is time for the fight against counterfeiting to shift from periodic movements to 24/7 monitoring.

Nguyen Dang Sinh, chair of the Vietnam Association for Anti-Counterfeiting and Trademark Protection (VATAP), said that IPR enforcement is no longer an option but an urgent requirement to protect businesses, consumers, and the reputation of Vietnamese goods. Here is an interview with Sinh: 

In your opinion, which sectors are currently facing the most serious IPR infringements, significantly impacting businesses, investors, and the image of Vietnamese products?

IPR infringements are primarily concentrated in high-consumption industries and established market brands. Counterfeit goods appear in everything from fashion and cosmetics to sectors with stringent standards like construction materials and motorcycle parts.

These violations not only cause economic damage but also directly threaten construction safety and consumer health.

To evade authorities, infringers have shifted to highly sophisticated and organized tactics. Most notable is the method of importing unbranded goods, then processing and applying fake labels at domestic warehouses.

Such actions affect the business environment and the nation's integration process. The fact that the US continues to place Vietnam on the ‘Priority Foreign Country’ list is a wake-up call.

Why does IPR infringement remain complex despite numerous handling measures?

Currently, the inspection and handling by functional forces remain seasonal. We often act in waves or high-peak campaigns during holidays and Tet. This creates a mindset of temporary compliance among violators. If monitoring is not maintained regularly, it will not generate enough pressure to change their behavior.

Furthermore, a significant portion of Vietnamese consumers still desire high-end brands at low prices. They are willing to buy a counterfeit international brand shirt for a few dozen thousand VND instead of spending millions on the genuine product. Where there is demand, there will be supply.

Additionally, there is the issue of business awareness. Paradoxically, when counterfeiting is discovered, the victimized businesses themselves sometimes "plead" for the violators due to family ties or long-standing partnerships.

The Prime Minister recently issued an official directive calling for stronger action against intellectual property violations. What changes do you expect from this directive?

The Prime Minister’s strong directive is expected to create a fundamental turning point, shifting enforcement thinking from short-term campaigns toward a more continuous and transparent monitoring mechanism in the fight against intellectual property violations.

In particular, with support from the new E-commerce Law and digital solutions such as product identification codes and QR Code traceability, the anti-counterfeit fight will gain sharper tools to clean up violations in cyberspace and block sophisticated tactics such as importing unlabeled goods or copying industrial designs.

Strict law enforcement without exceptions will not only help protect the “internal strength” of Vietnamese businesses but also send a strong message affirming a safe investment environment, helping Vietnam improve its position and national brand reputation internationally.

In your view, what key solutions are needed to improve the effectiveness of anti-counterfeit efforts in the coming time?

Instead of campaign-style raids, a 24/7 monitoring mechanism should be established in hot spots such as Ninh Hiep or La Phu. In parallel, a shared database should be built to link information among customs, market management, and police forces to trace goods from the border to circulation.

In addition, accountability of leaders is crucial. Heads of agencies and local authorities must be directly responsible if violations persist in their areas.

Moreover, to invest in testing and grassroots monitoring, a special financial mechanism is needed to cover inspection fees, because testing one product sample can cost nearly VND10 million, exceeding the current payment capacity of local budgets.

The new E-commerce Law takes effect on July 1, 2026, clearly defining the responsibilities of platform owners and livestream sellers. Additionally, control agencies must aggressively apply AI and digital technology for tracing. Businesses must also save themselves by registering IPR and using QR Code traceability.

A sustainable solution is to support career transitions for residents in high-risk areas like certain craft villages and wholesale markets. The government should assist households in registering their own brands and protecting designs to trade legitimately.

Businesses must register for trademark and industrial design protection not only in Vietnam but also in target markets to avoid brand hijacking risks. Mastering technology through smart QR Codes and using AI to scan e-commerce platforms will help businesses detect and stop infringements at the "golden moment."

Duy Anh