Counterfeit Nike, Adidas Shoes from Vietnam Tourist Town Destined for Russia

A store in Nha Trang, a popular tourist town in central Vietnam, has been fined for selling counterfeit Nike and Adidas shoes. The customer who purchased the shoes sent them to Russia, where they were identified as fakes, leading to a complaint to authorities. The business was penalized, and the counterfeit goods were ordered to be destroyed. The store, named Sport Market, located in the backpacker district of the beach city, was promoted by local bloggers and influencers. A woman purchased two pairs of shoes, one Nike and one Adidas, from the store and sent them to her boyfriend in Russia. Upon examination by an expert, both pairs were confirmed to be counterfeit. When the woman attempted to return the shoes and request a refund, the store refused, citing the lack of a receipt. She subsequently filed a complaint with the Khanh Hoa Provincial Public Feedback Portal. Following the complaint, the Khanh Hoa Department of Industry and Trade directed Market Surveillance Team No. 1 to inspect the premises. Officers found numerous items appearing to counterfeit trademarks protected in Vietnam. On September 5, the market surveillance team announced it had fined the business VND50 million (US$1,900) for trading in trademark-counterfeit goods and ordered the destruction of 180 pairs of shoes bearing fake Nike and Adidas branding. A representative of the store acknowledged that the two pairs sold to the woman were not authentic, stating that genuine shoes could not be sold at VND1.3 million for two pairs. The representative suggested that the employee who described the shoes as authentic was new. The store also admitted to previous penalties for selling counterfeit brands and was considering shutting down. The representative denied paying influencers, claiming they were mostly tourists who filmed their shopping experiences. Vietnam, while a growing manufacturing hub, faces challenges with the circulation of counterfeit goods, particularly in tourist areas where demand for seemingly branded items at low prices can be exploited. This incident highlights the ongoing need for robust market surveillance within Vietnam's one-party system and the importance of combating counterfeit products in international supply chains.