Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - On Monday, September 3, 2018, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, joined with Vietnam Customs Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department (ASID) and multiple brand representatives to witness the destruction of 13.2 tons of counterfeit items which had previously been seized by Vietnamese authorities at ports of entry. The items included counterfeit footwear, garments, handbags and mobile phone accessories.

The destruction – which marked the first time Vietnam has invited U.S. government representatives in Ho Chi Minh City to attend such an event – came on the heels of a visit to Vietnam by White House Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Vishal Amin and HSI Global Trade Investigations Assistant Director Alex Khu. During their time in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, IPEC Amin and Assistant Director Khu emphasized to senior Vietnamese officials the critical importance of collaboration between the two nations in enforcing intellectual property laws.

“Vigorous enforcement of intellectual property rights contributes to the economic growth of Vietnam and the United States,” said HSI Vietnam’s Country Attaché. “Our shared commitment to bilateral law enforcement cooperation against counterfeit and infringing products supports a business and investment climate in which innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive.”