HCMC – Japanese businesses have raised the alarm over the rampant sale of counterfeit goods resembling Japanese-made products on e-commerce platforms in Vietnam.
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), in collaboration with Vietnam’s Directorate of Market Surveillance under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), held a workshop on intellectual property rights in Hanoi yesterday, February 28.
Kikkoman, known for its expertise in soybean sauce production, said that counterfeit Kikkoman products have been found in several northern provinces that border China.
The company noted that most of its products are made in Thailand and Singapore, while Kikkoman products made in China are for consumption there, not for export. Therefore, the made-in-China Kikkoman products that are on sale in Vietnam are counterfeit, it said.
Similarly, a Panasonic representative said there are many fake electric products and home appliances such as hair dryers, kettles and batteries. These counterfeit items are widely distributed on social networks and online marketplaces.
Nguyen Nhu Quynh, head of the inspection team at the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to enforcing international regulations on counterfeit prevention. Despite these efforts, she acknowledged the challenges faced by authorities in inspecting, verifying, and sanctioning counterfeit trade on e-commerce platforms.
Vietnam has been carrying out a project to combat counterfeit products and safeguard consumer interests since 2023. The project is part of the country’s broader effort to enhance policy and regulatory frameworks for inspecting and managing product standards, quality, and intellectual property infringements in e-commerce transactions.
By 2025, Vietnam aims to ensure that major e-commerce platforms pledge not to facilitate the sale of counterfeit goods and prohibit individuals and organizations from engaging in such practices.
