Vietnam uncovers large-scale counterfeit Nike manufacturing network destined for export to the United States
Vietnamese authorities have uncovered one of the country’s largest trademark counterfeiting cases in recent years, involving the manufacture of counterfeit Nike footwear for export to the United States. The case highlights the increasingly sophisticated and cross-border nature of IP infringement, as well as the growing cooperation between Vietnamese and international enforcement authorities.
The investigation was launched following intelligence shared by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) through its cooperation mechanism with Vietnam’s Department of Domestic Market Management and Development. After verifying the information, the authorities determined that the operation was far more extensive than initially suspected.
On 16 July 2026, a joint inspection by the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, the Ministry of Public Security’s Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05), and Ho Chi Minh City Police raided the manufacturing facility of MP Company in Ho Chi Minh City. The authorities seized approximately 50,000 finished and semi-finished products bearing the NIKE, NIKE AIR, and AIR JORDAN trademarks, with an estimated market value exceeding VND 100 billion (approximately USD 3.8 million).
Although the company claimed the goods were produced under an international processing agreement and presented processing contracts and purported trademark authorization documents, Nike confirmed that it had never authorized either the company or its overseas partner to manufacture products bearing its trademarks. Based on the evidence collected, the authorities concluded that the goods bore counterfeit trademarks protected in Vietnam.
The investigation also revealed that, since the beginning of 2026, 11 containers of footwear bearing the Nike and Air Jordan trademarks had already been exported to the United States, with a declared customs value of more than VND 25.46 billion (approximately USD 1 million). The authorities are continuing to investigate the origin of the materials, the overseas counterparties, and the wider supply chain, and the case is expected to be transferred for criminal investigation.
This case demonstrates Vietnam’s increasing commitment to combating large-scale trademark infringement through coordinated enforcement involving market surveillance authorities, law enforcement agencies, rights holders, and international partners. It also serves as a reminder that counterfeiters are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods, including the misuse of international processing arrangements and forged authorization documents to facilitate cross-border trade.
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