Vietnam Resolute in Strengthening Intellectual Property Protection
As intellectual property (IP) infringements become increasingly global and sophisticated, Vietnam remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing and strictly penalizing violations. This stance is not merely a reactive measure but a consistent, high-priority policy aimed at fostering a transparent business environment. It serves as the bedrock for Vietnam's transition toward a growth model powered by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
On May 1, addressing the US Special 301 Report which identified Vietnam as a "Priority Watch List" country, Spokesperson of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang stated that in recent years, Vietnam has made substantial efforts to protect intellectual property, including improving its legal framework, raising public awareness, and strengthening international cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the US, and many other countries.
“Vietnam has also taken firm action against violations of IP rights. This remains both a high priority and a consistent policy of Vietnam to build a healthy and transparent business environment and to transform its growth model with science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers,” she stressed.
A Pillar of National Development
In an era where the global economy is shifting toward knowledge-based models, Vietnam has identified science, technology, and digital transformation as the three strategic pillars to achieve its goal of becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045. Central to this vision is IP, which serves as both a legal safeguard for transparency and a catalyst that empowers inventors and businesses to contribute to national progress.
To this end, Vietnam is modernizing application processing and enhancing "IP literacy" across the board. The objective is to transform intellectual property into a strategic tool for businesses to safeguard assets, build global brands, and attract high-quality investment. International collaborations, particularly with WIPO, are further helping Vietnam adopt advanced management models and facilitate the commercialization of intellectual assets.
This shift is already evident in the private sector, where the Vietnamese business community is increasingly proactive. Currently, the country boasts nearly one million registered trademarks. Leading domestic enterprises—such as Vinamilk, Viettel, and Trung Nguyen—have strategically registered IP rights in key markets like the U.S., EU, and Japan to facilitate expansion and preemptively mitigate disputes.
Institutional Reform and Enhanced Enforcement
Vietnam’s legal framework has undergone a steady evolution to stay ahead of the curve. While the 2005 IP Law set the foundation, subsequent amendments—most notably in 2025—have brought Vietnam’s standards into alignment with international benchmarks.
The 2025 Amended Intellectual Property Law represents a landmark shift, prioritizing administrative efficiency and digital integration. Processing times for industrial property applications have been drastically reduced; for instance, a new expedited mechanism now allows patent and trademark examinations to be completed in just three months—a speed matched by very few nations.
The Law also breaks new ground by extending protection to non-physical assets like digital icons and graphic user interfaces (GUI). Most significantly, it provides the first explicit legal framework addressing the complexities of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Parallel to these legislative strides, enforcement has been significantly bolstered. Specialized IP courts have been established in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to provide expert dispute resolution. Furthermore, the 2025 Law grants courts the power to apply "digital-age" remedies, including blocking access to infringing online content and disabling accounts or applications involved in illicit activities.
These comprehensive reforms have yielded impressive results. Between 2021 and 2025, industrial property applications rose by 26%, while the number of processed applications surged by nearly 70%. In 2025 alone, domestic patent applications grew by 36%, and the number of granted titles jumped by a remarkable 134%.
While IP infringement remains a persistent global hurdle, Vietnam’s trajectory is clear. By perfecting its legal framework and sharpening its enforcement capacity, Vietnam is not only protecting the rights of creators but also laying a sustainable foundation for a modern, transparent, and competitive national economy./.
- Story: Thanh Hoa
- Photos: VNA