Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for intensified efforts to tackle the growing scourge of counterfeit products, trade fraud, and smuggling, according to a government statement released Wednesday. Addressing the country's anti-counterfeit task force, Chinh urged officials to adopt innovative and effective strategies to combat these persistent issues.

The prime minister’s renewed commitment comes at a critical time, as Vietnam negotiates with the United States to stave off harsh tariff measures. As part of those talks, Hanoi has offered a range of proposals aimed at addressing long-standing U.S. concerns, including violations of intellectual property rights and the re-routing of Chinese goods through Vietnam to dodge U.S. tariffs.

Documents reviewed by Reuters reveal that last month, Vietnamese authorities were ordered to intensify actions against fake goods, digital piracy, and what officials often term "trade fraud" — including transshipment schemes used to disguise the origin of goods.

According to the government, the problem has become increasingly prevalent, especially on digital marketplaces. Authorities cited recent incidents involving counterfeit milk, food, and dietary supplements, which they say have posed serious risks to public health and disrupted social stability.

In just the first part of this year, officials have uncovered 1,100 cases involving counterfeit or intellectual property violations, over 25,000 instances of trade and tax fraud, and more than 8,000 cases of smuggling banned or restricted goods. The statement did not provide comparison figures from previous years.

“The smuggling and unlawful transport of goods across borders remains a complex and evolving issue,” the government warned. “Domestically, the manufacture and sale of fake, substandard, and unidentified products continues unabated — especially online — posing direct threats to consumer safety.”

The crackdown has already led to high-profile arrests. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Security announced the detention of Nguyen Thanh Phong, former head of the Ministry of Health's food safety division. Police allege Phong accepted bribes beginning in 2016 in exchange for issuing quality certifications to nine domestic companies involved in the production and sale of counterfeit health supplements.