Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday raided stores at two popular shopping places, including the iconic Ben Thanh Market, in downtown District 1 on Thursday, seizing thousands of fake luxury fashion items.

The surprise inspection was carried out at 20 stores operating at Saigon Square and Ben Thanh Market following the direction of the General Department for Market Management and its Ho Chi Minh City unit.

During the inspection, functional forces confiscated 1,500 items including watches, bags, purses and wallets copying various foreign brands including Valentino, Calvin Klein, Prada, Montblanc, Gucci, Cartier, Rolex, and Seiko.

The total value of these counterfeit items is estimated at nearly VND146.2 million (US$6,282).

Located in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon Square and Ben Thanh Market are considered two ‘hotspots’ for fashion copycats in the southern metropolis where the sale of luxury counterfeits remains rampant despite the local market watchdog’s efforts to bring about its end through regular inspections, confiscations, and punishment.

“In the coming time, the unit will continue to promote the fight against counterfeit goods, pirated goods and those infringing upon intellectual property rights, with focus on business hotspots that offer these items,” said a representative of the General Department for Market Management.

Market watchdog officers examine a store at Ben Thanh Market in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, March 12, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Tri / Tuoi Tre

Market watchdog officers examine a store at Saigon Square in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, March 12, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Tri / Tuoi Tre

Market watchdog officers examine a store at Saigon Square in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, March 12, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Tri / Tuoi Tre

Market watchdog officers examine a store at Saigon Square in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, March 12, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Tri / Tuoi Tre

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