A delegation from the Vinh Phuc Provincial Market Surveillance Department met with local business owners in Tho Tang Town to assess the situation after reports of mass shop closures.

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A quiet scene in Tho Tang Town after merchants simultaneously closed their stores. Photo: Duc Hoang

On the afternoon of May 29, Nguyen Duc Trung, Director of the Vinh Phuc Market Surveillance Department, confirmed to VietNamNet that a working delegation had visited Tho Tang Town (Vinh Tuong District) earlier that day to investigate the widespread shutdown of local businesses.

Following the meeting, Mr. Trung signed a report detailing the situation of commercial activity in Tho Tang.

According to the document, over May 27–28, VietNamNet reported that merchants in Tho Tang Town simultaneously shuttered their stores. During direct discussions with vendors and town officials, the root cause of this unusual closure was uncovered.

Specifically, the closures stemmed from an unofficial rumor suggesting that an inter-agency inspection team would soon conduct a large-scale review of invoices and product origin.

The rumor warned that merchants unable to produce such documentation would face tax recovery and seizure of goods. Fearing this, vendors alerted one another and collectively decided to shut their shops.

In response, the delegation from the Vinh Phuc Market Surveillance Department, together with the People's Committee of Tho Tang Town and Vinh Tuong District, conducted outreach to inform business owners about the ongoing crackdown on smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property violations across Vinh Phuc Province.

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Stores in Tho Tang Town shuttered their doors. Photo taken on May 26

"The delegation clarified that authorities will only inspect operations showing signs of smuggling, counterfeiting, or food-related violations. For general consumer goods, business remains normal. Tax policies will be implemented gradually, with time for adjustment," said Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung.

After receiving accurate legal information and reassurances, merchants agreed with the government’s and Prime Minister’s direction, as well as the policies of the provincial and district authorities.

By 9:30 a.m. on May 29, shopkeepers had reopened their stores, and normal business activities resumed.

The Market Surveillance Department has also requested that the People’s Committee of Vinh Tuong District and Tho Tang Town continue spreading awareness about legal compliance in business practices.

This effort aims to ensure that the public correctly understands state policies and improves their legal awareness and compliance.

Previously, according to VietNamNet’s coverage, over the past three days, more than 1,000 stores in the Tho Tang market area (Giang Market) closed simultaneously - an unprecedented occurrence that starkly contrasted with the town’s usual bustling market atmosphere.

Duc Hoang