8 Vietnamese directors arrested for certificate forgery in durian export

The Ministry of Public Security on Nov. 5 said its anti-corruption and economic crimes division is investigating violations involving the Reference Testing and Agrifood Quality Services Center (Retaq), Nho Nho Technology Co. Ltd., Thuy Fruit Co. Ltd., and related firms.

The suspects were accused of receiving bribes, offering bribes, bribery brokering and abusing influence over officials for personal gain.

Police have detained 14 and imposed travel restrictions on three others.

Investigators said the scheme involved the illegal trade of growing-area codes and laboratory certificates, documents required for durian exports to China. The practice resulted in products with falsified origins and substandard quality entering foreign markets, eroding confidence in Vietnamese fruit exports.

China remains one of Vietnam’s biggest durian buyers, spending nearly US$1 billion on the fruit in September, a 67.7% increase from the previous month and accounting for 93.6% of total durian export. In the first nine months of 2025, durian export hit nearly $2.8 billion, up 65% year-on-year.

Vietnam currently has 24 testing labs accredited by Chinese authorities, capable of processing about 3,200 samples per day. But during peak harvest season, many facilities have been overworked, leading to broken or expired equipment and delays in license renewals. Since July 1, local governments have taken over license reissuance, but bureaucratic hurdles have slowed progress.