The event is held by the Vietnam Competition Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) in response to Vietnam’s Consumer Rights Day which falls on March 15 each year.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of MOIT Tran Quoc Khanh stressed that the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights, which came into effect from July 1, 2011, has contributed to creating a healthy environment for both consumers and businesses in Vietnam. In response to the event, the ministry set a theme of "Business for Consumers" for the campaign to be deployed nationwide.
According to Deputy Minister Khanh, it is a voluntary project, targeting the improvement of corporate and social responsibilities towards consumers, while helping businesses enforce rules to protect consumers’ interests, thereby creating growth and enhancing advantages and competitiveness for businesses, contributing to the stable and sustainable development of the economy.
He added that once consumers are put at the centre and have confidence in businesses, they will favour their products as well as support the development of enterprises.
Trinh Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Competition Authority, noted that participants are all enterprises on the market. They can register and commit with the agency to self-organise or co-organise the campaign with the MOIT’s body in response to Vietnam’s Consumer Rights Day in 2017.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh calls for the participation of enterprises in the campaign. (Credit: qdnd.vn)
The programme focuses on setting up a switchboard to receive and resolve consumers’ complaints; organising training sessions and seminars for officials, employees and other issues related to consumers’ rights; providing information on safe consumption; replacing faulty products free of charge; and offering incentives to acknowledge customers.
The campaign will be held until the end of March. Registration is completely free and businesses can enrol by simply visiting the Vietnam Competition Authority website at www.vca.gov.vn. After signing up for the programme, the agency will offer consultancies for businesses to develop activities appropriate with each business, while supporting dispute settlements and mediating between businesses and consumers.
The Vietnam Competition Authority will monitor and evaluate the implementation of the campaign, in addition to submitting reviews to competent authorities to honour businesses which have satisfactorily implemented services and which have made significant contributions to the society and consumers.
Stephen James Clark, Director General of Prudential Vietnam praised the importance of the Day in protecting the rights of consumers, adding that it has helped to promote the role of protecting consumer interests along with the stable and sustainable growth of Vietnam’s society and economy. Prudential Vietnam committed to respond to the programme to meet the needs and aspirations of consumers, thus building a healthy business environment.
Also at the ceremony, the Vietnam Competition Authority announced and presented awards to winners of a short film contest on the protection of consumers' interests.
