In response to Vietnam’s Consumer Rights Day (March 15, 2023) with the theme “Transparent Information – Safe Consumption”, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in coordination with the Hanoi People’s Committee, organized a series of activities to make Consumer Rights Day more important Engine and pinnacle in socio-economic life that helps build a healthy business and consumer environment for the country.

SPREADING THE “FOR CONSUMER RIGHTS” MESSAGE

The theme of Consumer Rights Day 2023 emphasizes the importance and importance of information for the safety of consumers when choosing, paying for and using goods and services, especially in the context of an increasing number of fraudulent acts that harm the interests of consumers in online transactions.

This is also a call for authorities and organisations, especially the business community, to join forces to provide accurate and timely information so that consumers can fully exercise their rights, receive information and ensure correct and safe choices are made.

The Opening Ceremony of Vietnam Consumer Rights Day 2023 is one of the key activities in 2023 to implement the Action Plan of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to Implement Resolution No. 82/NQ-CP of May 26, 2020. 30-CT/TW of January 22 2019 of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee to strengthen the leadership of the party and the leadership responsibility of the state country to protect the interests of consumers.

This is an annual activity of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to implement the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1035/QD-TTg to make March 15 Vietnam’s Consumer Rights Day. At the same time, it is also the opening event for a series of activities in response to Vietnam’s Consumer Rights Day 2023.

At the opening ceremony, companies joined forces and demonstrated the spirit of embracing responsible business for the benefit of consumers by jointly implementing the “Responsible Business Guide”. Responsibility for consumers in e-commerce”.

Immediately after the opening ceremony, the “In the Interest of Consumers” race was held on March 11, in which more than 1000 participants took part. Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said at the event that protecting consumer interests is a work that affects many sectors and professions in society. Therefore, the organization of major events that attract the attention and participation of many stakeholders is a necessary and regular activity in order to constantly improve the effectiveness of protecting the interests of consumers.

NEED A REAL TRANSFORMATION, MORE STRONGER

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, consumer rights protection in Vietnam has gradually overcome difficulties and challenges, helped improve competitiveness and provided the motivation for the development of business enterprises.

Specifically, in 2022, the Consumer Rights Protection Bill (amended) was submitted for the first time to the National Assembly for consideration and opinion. The amendment to the Consumer Protection Act announced in 2010 is a practical requirement that corresponds to the current trend in business and consumer development.

In addition, the implementation of Secretariat Guideline No. 30 on Strengthening Party Leadership and State Leadership Responsibility for the Protection of Consumer Interests was guided and promoted, and implementation progress was monitored.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has expanded the customer support and advice system (1800.6838) and increased the number of call center points to 52 points nationwide to support construction and provide input information.

In addition, model contracts, general terms and conditions, incorrect product recalls and transactions in the e-commerce environment were strictly controlled…

However, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade frankly said that there are still some existing problems and limitations that need to be taken into account and solved with the spirit of openness, demand, innovation and creativity for the protection work. Consumer interests will play a role more substantial and stronger change in the coming period.

In particular, it is worth noting that there are issues related to strengthening resources, improving the capacity and operational efficiency of authorities and organizations, enforcement mechanisms, promoting consumer initiative, promoting the participation of the business community and international integration.

Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Lan, acting director of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Hanoi, said that in the coming period, the city people’s committee will direct departments, branches, people’s committees of districts, cities and relevant units to strengthen management work to protect consumer interests , mobilizing the entire political system to participate.

At the same time, strengthening propaganda, disseminating legal education, advice, support and answering consumers on the Consumer Rights Protection Act with a variety of content and forms.

Intensifying inspection and testing (particularly when doing business in the online environment), guiding consumers to identify genuine and counterfeit goods, responding quickly and accurately to questions and inquiries about consumer rights.

Raising awareness of compliance with the law among people and businesses, building a healthy business environment, building a consumer culture of the people to effectively enforce the consumer rights protection law.