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Stores were alerted on the PA system when a team from the Market Surveillance Department arrived, and many promptly shuttered to avoid inspection.

But in those they could raid, the inspectors discovered large quantities of watches, handbags, suitcases, sunglasses, and other fashion accessories suspected to be fake.

They carried famous brand names but hardly looked the part, with shabby packaging, poor stitching and blurry logos.

They were openly displayed in stores and sold at much lower prices than authentic products.

The team then raided Ben Thanh Market and confiscated hundreds of similar fashion items.

A total of 49 violations were discovered, resulting in fines of over VND500 million (US$18,971), and all seized products were destroyed, the team said.

The inspections are being carried out following the government’s orders to ramp up the fight against smuggling, fraud and trademark violations, officials said.

Downtown HCMC shopping centers and markets attract large numbers of tourists, making them hotspots for fake goods.

Separately, a raid of 16 stores elsewhere in the city conducted by another team at around the same time as the Saigon Square and Ben Thanh raids, found 405 Gucci, Ray-Ban and Adidas knockoffs.

The stores were forced to destroy the items and fined a combined VND150 million.

Market authorities said they would continue to inspect businesses suspected of selling fake goods and those of unclear origins, and launch outreach campaigns to encourage small traders to comply with regulations.