An elderly woman chooses a bouquet at a flower shop. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Every year, more than 80 percent of consumer petitions yield sound outcomes with authorities’ support in Ho Chi Minh City, as heard at a workshop in the southern hub on March 18.
The event, themed “customers’ rights to safety”, was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s competition management department.
According to Phan The Thang, deputy head of the department’s consumer protection office, Vietnam has 51 associations and organisations that shield buyers across the country.
However, their work has been challenged by violations of consumers’ rights occurring in various arenas, including food safety, information confidentiality and product quality, Thang said.
At the workshop, Sakai Toshifumi, head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s representative office in Ho Chi Minh City , pointed to a relevant cooperation pact between his agency and the competition management department signed in 2014.
The pact’s agenda includes updating knowledge of Consumer Protection Law for different agencies, associations and individuals, and operating training courses in Japan for local consultants, he noted.
He stressed that more measures are needed to ensure Vietnamese buyers’ rights and interests during the country’s global integration process.
Tran Vinh Nhung, Vice Director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, said it will organise meetings and hang a thousand banners on major streets and in public spaces to support consumers’ rights.
The department also established a helpline – (08) 1081 – and information can be found on its website: www.quyennguoitieudung.hcm.vn.-VNA
