Vietnam's Ninh Hiep market persists as US targets counterfeit trade

Despite escalating US pressure and local police operations, the counterfeit trade at Hanoi's Ninh Hiep wholesale market remains robust, according to two visits by Reuters. The sprawling bazaar is one of about 30 'notorious markets' identified in the US Trade Representative's (USTR) annual report on counterfeiting and piracy. A seller at a stall displaying fake Ralph Lauren polos described the enforcement as superficial: 'Police come once a year with a TV crew. They film the seizure of a shop, and then it’s business as usual.' The USTR also flagged streaming websites like MyFlixerz, believed to operate from Vietnam, that attract hundreds of millions of monthly visitors with pirated content.

Washington's concerns go beyond the bazaar. On April 30, the US designated Vietnam a 'priority foreign country' for intellectual property violations—the first country added to the worst category in 13 years—and warned of a potential investigation that could lead to tariffs. The move coincided with a surging US trade deficit with Vietnam, reaching $54.8 billion in Q1 2026, surpassing deficits with China and Mexico. Vietnam's foreign ministry defended its IP efforts, urging an 'objective and balanced assessment.' However, the continued availability of MyFlixerz and the resilience of Ninh Hiep suggest enforcement gaps remain, risking further trade friction.