Dozens of fake license plates have been being smuggled out of Bac Ninh Province to other localities each day because of a lack of supervision.

A couple are making fake vehicle plates at shop No. 147

One well-known fake vehicle plate shop is in Dong Ngan Ward, Bac Ninh Province's Tu Son Commune.

One repair shop owner will give directions to anyone who asks about how to get a fake license plate, "Right across the road. Just tell them you need a fake plate and you'll be given a lot of choices," the owner said.

The price is quite cheap, according to the daughter of the shop owner. All you have to ask, according to her, is, "What number would you like? We have many to choose from with reasonable prices, anywhere from VND200-300,000 (USD9.7-14.4) per plate. Just make a deposit and the plate will be ready tomorrow." She, then, gave out a notebook full of numbers with pre-made plates.

The shop owner's wife also advised the customers to choose the plates with Bac Ninh Province area code and assured that the police would not be able to detect them.

The fake plates look very close to the real thing and are difficult to detect.

Last year, the fake license plate service boomed, especially at two infamous shops. Even though the police cracked down on two shops at 147 and 149, the shop No.147 reopened again and business is booming.

According to locals, the shop at 147 is the most popular and has also been taking their wares to Hanoi and neighboring districts.

"Dozens of plates are sold each day, including blue and red plates that are reserved for personnel of state and military agencies," the broker said.

Right at that time, two men went in and requested a plate. The shop owner nodded then continue to make the unfinished plate while his wife stood outside, inviting customers.

After three unsuccessful appointments with Tu Son District Police, Colonel Nguyen Huu Hung, the head of Tu Son Police said during a phone exchange that he does not know much about the situation because he was only assigned the job four months ago. "This problem was supposed to have been dealt with last year. If we get any new information we will obviously apply the law to any violators."