Vietnam Cracks Down on Smuggled Chinese Mooncakes and Alcohol

In Vietnam's northern Quang Ninh province, market management authorities have made successive seizures of smuggled mooncakes and alcohol originating from China, in the lead-up to the Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival). This indicates the authorities' strengthened market supervision and their commitment to cracking down on the circulation of illegal goods. Over two days, September 5 and 7, the No. 1 Unit of the Quang Ninh City Market Management Department confiscated a total of 3,384 mooncakes and 112 bottles of wine as smuggled items. These goods were confirmed to be from China and had not undergone proper customs procedures. On September 5, near the Van Don-Mong Cai Expressway toll station, a vehicle driven by a resident from Hai Phong was found carrying 864 Chinese-made mooncakes and 112 bottles of wine. The driver confessed to having purchased these goods illegally in the market and transporting them for profit. Subsequently, on September 7, in the vicinity of a market in Mong Cai City, another vehicle was found with 2,520 Chinese-made mooncakes. The driver in this instance was also found to be transporting the goods without proper documentation. All confiscated mooncakes and alcohol lacked official invoices and documents proving their origin, suggesting they were being circulated illegally in the market. Authorities are proceeding with the confiscation and destruction of these goods and considering penalties for those involved. The Quang Ninh Provincial Market Management Department plans to further strengthen market management and collaborate with police and relevant agencies to rigorously enforce laws related to food safety. They will particularly enhance market surveillance and inspections before, during, and after the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Vietnam, Tet Trung Thu is a traditional holiday where families gather and share mooncakes, leading to high demand for these seasonal products. Therefore, illegally imported goods entering the market at low prices not only create competitive disadvantages for domestic legitimate businesses but also raise concerns about food safety risks. The authorities' intensified crackdown is considered to be in response to these issues.