Regarding the counterfeit goods case at Zholding Company, Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan stated that investigators have seized 20 properties, temporarily held five cars, and confiscated over 50 billion VND (approximately USD 2.05 million).

On the afternoon of September 29, the Central Internal Affairs Commission held a briefing to announce the results of the latest meeting of the Standing Committee of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negative Practices.

Several cases under the Steering Committee’s supervision were mentioned by the press, with requests for updates. These included: the counterfeit goods case at Zholding Company; a case involving suspected bribery and corruption at the Vietnam Food Administration (Ministry of Health); and the project for constructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters.

Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan, Chief of the Office and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, shared that the investigation into the Zholding case has so far led to the prosecution of 10 defendants for two main offenses: producing and trading counterfeit food products, and violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences.

"As of now, authorities have frozen 20 real estate assets; issued documents to suspend transactions for 8 more properties belonging to 3 defendants; seized 5 vehicles; confiscated over 50 billion VND; and ordered the freezing of 17 bank accounts and 12 securities accounts to ensure the investigation and trial process," Toan said.

In June, the police launched an investigation into violations of accounting laws and the production and sale of counterfeit food at Zholding Joint Stock Company, headquartered at 275 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi.

According to investigation results, there is sufficient evidence that “Hiup 27 nutritional products,” packaged as powdered milk in 420g, 650g, and 800g cans, along with several liquid variants, were manufactured at the Nature Made Trading and Manufacturing Joint Stock Company from August 8, 2024, to March 5, 2025. These products did not meet the nutritional composition and content declared in their official product registration documents.

Under Government Decree No. 98/2020 on administrative penalties for trade violations, counterfeit goods, and consumer protection, these products are considered counterfeit.

In the case involving alleged bribery at the Vietnam Food Administration, Toan confirmed that 29 individuals have been prosecuted for giving and receiving bribes.

Authorities have seized six properties and recovered 13.9 billion VND (approximately USD 570,000). The investigation is ongoing.

On May 13, the Ministry of Public Security's Department of Anti-Corruption, Economic Crimes, and Smuggling (C03) prosecuted and detained Nguyen Thanh Phong, former Director of the Vietnam Food Administration, along with four officials from the agency, on charges of accepting bribes. On August 29, the ministry’s Investigation Office prosecuted six more individuals, including Tran Viet Nga, current Director of the agency, and five of her subordinates.

Regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters construction project, Toan said that the Government Inspectorate and Ministry of Finance are handling the matter. The Steering Committee has issued preliminary conclusions, and further action will follow based on those findings.

Once official conclusions are available, the Ministry of Public Security will proceed according to regulations.

Back in March, the Standing Committee of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters project under its direct supervision.

The new headquarters, located on Le Quang Dao Street, has a total investment of 3.484 trillion VND (approximately USD 142.8 million). Classified as a special-grade Group A project, it has drawn scrutiny from the State Audit Office of Vietnam.

Delays in the project have been attributed to adjustments in the investment structure, phased development plans, and dependency on disbursement schedules.

On March 27, during the seventh regular session of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ internal steering committee on anti-corruption and wastefulness, the ministry’s leadership requested the project management board to collaborate with relevant agencies to compile a comprehensive report and develop a detailed action plan with clear timelines to resolve persistent obstacles.

Tran Thuong