At the Conference reviewing 2025 performance and rolling out tasks for 2026, organized by the National Steering Committee 389, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son outlined nine priority tasks.

Stepping up inspections and strict enforcement

At the conference, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged that in recent years ministries, sectors, localities and law-enforcement forces have acted proactively and decisively in combating smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods, achieving encouraging results that have helped stabilize the market, safeguard security and order, and protect the lawful rights and interests of citizens and businesses.

To further enhance effectiveness in 2026 and beyond, he urged ministries, sectors and localities to focus on the following nine key tasks:

First, continue to thoroughly and comprehensively implement the Party’s guidelines, the State’s laws, and directives from the Government, the Prime Minister and the National Steering Committee on anti-smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods. Priority should be given to Directive No. 13/CT-TTg dated May 17, 2025 of the Prime Minister on strengthening the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods in the new context, and Government Resolution No. 397/NQ-CP dated December 5, 2025 approving the Action Plan to prevent and roll back smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringement through 2030. The fight against smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods must be identified as a central, top-priority, long-term and continuous task.

Second, proactively grasp developments, strengthen professional operations, and conduct focused and targeted inspections and controls. Priority should be placed on border routes, border gates, seaports and airports; on high-risk areas, commodities and sectors, particularly e-commerce and digital-platform trading; counterfeit goods; goods infringing intellectual property rights; and products that directly affect public health such as medicines, milk, dietary supplements and cosmetics. Functional forces are requested to closely coordinate with local 389 forces to carry out regular operations, promptly detect and prevent violations, and resolutely impose strict penalties.

Third, formulate and implement programs, plans and solutions for inspection, control, detection, prevention and timely, effective handling of smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods, with strict compliance with legal provisions and professional procedures. Inspections should be combined with communication, dissemination and guidance on the law for inspected entities. Each area and sector should have a single lead agency with primary responsibility. At the same time, agencies should proactively exchange and share information and coordinate across forces, units and localities to promptly detect and strictly handle violations, focusing on accurately targeting ringleaders and masterminds.

Fourth, continue to review, amend and the legal framework related to combating smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods to address shortcomings, gaps and legal vacuums, preventing offenders from exploiting them.

Fifth, strengthen and closely integrate inspection and supervision with thematic inspections by sector, avoiding overlap while ensuring clear accountability. Strictly discipline officials and civil servants who show irresponsibility in leadership, direction or management, or who abet or cover up violations. At the same time, promptly commend and reward collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements, exemplary role models and effective practices to motivate enforcement forces.

Enhancing communications, digital transformation and comprehensive implementation for 2026

Sixth, intensify communications and legal dissemination, and publicize the harms and adverse impacts of smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringement to raise awareness and responsibility among officials, civil servants and the public, including ensuring selectivity in advertising information. Disseminate information on offenders’ tactics and methods to help the public remain vigilant and promptly report to competent authorities, while promoting the supervisory role of the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations and the press.

Seventh, accelerate the application of science and technology and digital transformation in management and supervision; strengthen connectivity and data sharing among agencies and functional forces; improve the effectiveness of information collection; raise awareness among businesses and the public; and enhance the role of hotlines and information-receiving channels from citizens and enterprises. Localities should review and invest in building and upgrading testing centers to facilitate goods circulation, especially exports.

Eighth, the 389 Steering Committees of ministries, sectors and localities should continue to review and consolidate personnel and improve operating regulations.

Ninth, ministries, sectors and localities are requested to promptly translate the above tasks into specific programs and action plans for 2026, regularly inspect and urge implementation, and periodically report results to the National Steering Committee 389 for timely monitoring and direction.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son also requested ministries and sectors to continue reviewing, revising and updating standards related to counterfeit goods to prevent exploitation, particularly in areas involving pharmaceuticals and food that affect public health; to strengthen the deterrent effect of sanctions; and to create a complete and unified legal framework for management and law enforcement.