Vietnam launches anti-smuggling, piracy campaign ahead of Tet
HANOI - Vietnam said Thursday it has begun an intensive two-month nationwide
crackdown against contra-band and counterfeit goods ahead of the traditional Lunar New
Year spending spree. The crackdown, launched Tuesday, steps up vigilance along the
country's borders with Cambodia, China and Laos and strengthens cooperation among
police, customs and military border guards.
Authorities hope to raise public awareness about the fight against trading in smuggled and
fake consumer goods, the state-run Cong An Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh newspaper said.
Local police will be held responsible if they fail to dismantle smuggling networks in their
areas of control, it added.
Smuggling and trading in contraband and counterfeit goods traditionally booms before and
during the week-long Tet Festival to meet consumer demand.
Tet, to begin February 1, is the most important date in the Vietnamese festival calendar and
is seen as an opportunity to show off personal wealth.
Pirated goods, ranging from designer luggage to computer software, are widely available for
sale in Vietnam despite repeated warnings from the World Bank about the negative impact
on foreign investment.
The communist-ruled country has repeatedly pledged to crack down on the illegal trade,
but diplomats and foreign businessmen have questioned its commitment to the task.
Agence France Presse - December 13, 2002.
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