‘Business as usual’: Fakes, piracy thrive in Vietnam as US tariff deadline nears

At a large market on Hanoi's outskirts, the trade in fake goods continues unabated, even as authorities conduct crackdowns and the U.S. looms with potential tariffs over intellectual property violations. Sellers at the Ninh Hiep wholesale market, known for counterfeit Ralph Lauren polos, describe the enforcement as a mere formality. "Police come once a year with a TV crew. They film the seizure of a shop, and then it's business as usual," one seller stated. Ninh Hiep is listed among about 30 "notorious markets" globally by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The USTR also flagged Vietnamese streaming sites like MyFlixerz, which allegedly offer pirated films and TV series to millions of users worldwide, remaining accessible despite announced measures. Washington considers Vietnam's intellectual property (IP) violations a serious economic threat. In April, the U.S. designated Vietnam as the world's worst offender in IP rights, warning of a potential probe and tariffs by the end of May. This designation comes as Vietnam's exports to the U.S. surged in early 2026, contributing to a $54.8 billion trade deficit, surpassing those with China and Mexico. Following the USTR's announcement, Vietnam's foreign ministry asserted the country makes "strenuous efforts" to protect IP and urged the U.S. for an "objective and balanced assessment." The government launched an anti-counterfeit campaign from May 7 to 30, similar to one in 2025 that followed U.S. tariffs. Reuters journalists visited Ninh Hiep twice in May, observing that while some shops temporarily reduced displays, fakes were still available upon request. Authorities did not respond to requests for comment.

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Police come once a year with a TV crew. They film the seizure of a shop, and then it’s business as usual.