Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - ‘Phnom Penh’ noodles under scrutiny

‘Phnom Penh’ noodles under scrutiny

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Nam Vang Noodles, with an image of Angkor Wat on the packaging, were found recently on sale in the US. FACEBOOK

‘Phnom Penh’ noodles under scrutiny

Two Cambodian ministries are investigating the Nam Vang Noodle brand which uses a picture of Cambodia’s iconic temple Angkor Wat on its product packaging and has been seen in stores in the US.

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts told The Post on August 22 that the noodle company was using the name of Phnom Penh (Nam Vang in Vietnamese) and the image of Angkor Wat on its products without permission. It is working with the Ministry of Commerce to investigate the matter and possibly seek legal remedies.

Culture ministry spokesman Long Ponnasirivath said the APSARA National Authority (ANA), a body tasked with managing the Angkor Archaeological Park, had never heard of this brand of noodles until recently.

According to Ponnasirivath, if the commerce ministry determines that there is real actionable fraud taking place, the ministry will file complaints with international institutions related to trade and the counterfeiting of products and use of country identity on product labels.

He said under the Paris Convention, member states are obligated to provide protections against unfair competition.

“I have sent this document to the [commerce ministry], so we will need to wait for one or two days,” he said.

Commerce ministry spokesman Pen Sovicheat said he had not yet received the information as the documents arrived over the weekend and it was too early for him to comment on what the ministry would decide.

He said, however, that if there is a case of fraudulently using the national identity of Cambodia without permission, the commerce ministry would take legal action.

“If there is a violation of a registered trademark or a violation of a national symbol, we must take action. But in this case we do not have the information and do not know who used it. So, please wait until Monday to see if there is progress on the case,” he said.

According to Sovicheat, over the years the commerce ministry has taken legal action against manufacturers of goods sold in foreign markets that were using Angkor Wat on their product packaging without permission.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Ministry taking steps over Thai ‘replica’ of Angkor Wat

    The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has dispatched experts to inspect the ongoing construction of a temple in Wat Phu Man Fah, located in Thailand’s Buriram province. This temple appears to be a replica of Cambodia’s renowned Angkor Wat. The ministry said

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former