The General Department of Vietnam Customs has asked customs departments in localities to strengthen management and supervision to promptly detect and handle smuggling by air.

Customs departments in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Thua Thien-Hue, Khanh Hoa, Can Tho, and Kien Giang are required to focus inspections on high-risk products such as drugs, alcohol, currency, gold, and tobacco.

Vietnam Customs said smuggling by air has increased recently. Smugglers often take advantage of the openness of related policies and the development of e-commerce, express delivery, and consignment services to create cross-border smuggling rings to illegally transport products, drugs, and currency via international airports.

Relevant agencies were also instructed to enhance inspections and control over imported and exported products in the form of gifts or personal luggage, particularly at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.