Vietnam strengthens IP protection to improve business climate, drive innovation

According to Vietnam's Intellectual Property Strategy through 2030 under Prime Ministerial Decision No. 1068/QD-TTg issued in 2019, IP is identified as an important tool for enhancing national competitiveness, promoting innovation, and supporting socio-economic development.

Effective IP rights protection and enforcement have become increasingly necessary as intangible assets play a growing role in business competitiveness, investment, and long-term economic growth.

As businesses invest more in innovation, branding, and research, IP is evolving from a legal safeguard to a strategic business asset.

Against that backdrop, Vietnam aims to develop strategic industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing, where effective IP protection is essential to encouraging innovation, commercializing new technologies, and attracting high-quality investment.

The growing importance of IP is also evident among domestic businesses.

According to Nhan Dan (People) newspaper, trademark applications filed by Vietnamese organizations and individuals reached nearly 100,000 in 2025, the highest level on record, reflecting growing recognition of intellectual assets as drivers of business growth and competitiveness.

The expanding digital economy is also creating new challenges.

Advances in AI are raising complex legal and IP issues involving software, digital content, and emerging technologies, reinforcing the need for a more adaptive IP system.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) notes that effective IP systems help innovators and businesses commercialize new technologies, attract investment, facilitate technology transfer, and support sustainable economic growth.

Strengthening IP protection, enforcement

Vietnam is reinforcing protection and enforcement of IP rights through tougher measures, closer inter-agency coordination, and institutional reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of its IP regime.

Under Official Dispatch No. 38/CD-TTg, dated May 5, 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung directed ministries, local authorities, and enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to prevent, detect, and address IP rights violations through closer coordination, stricter enforcement, and greater use of criminal prosecution against large-scale counterfeiters and repeat offenders.

The directive also expands enforcement to cover major IP rights, including infringements involving digital platforms.

To strengthen long-term enforcement capacity, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung directed the Ministry of Science and Technology, in coordination with other agencies, to develop a national IP enforcement database to facilitate information sharing.

He also ordered a review of legal shortcomings to support future legislative and policy reforms.

The government's intensified campaign has already produced results.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, authorities detected and handled 2,036 suspected IP infringement cases between May 5 and May 30, involving more than 1,600 organizations and individuals.

Of these, 1,616 were administrative infringements, resulting in fines totaling more than VND17.9 billion (US$680,700).

Authorities also initiated criminal proceedings in 44 IP-related cases, and four cases involving four defendants were brought to trial.

Officials said administrative enforcement actions during the period were roughly three times the monthly average recorded in 2025, while criminal cases already reached about 60 percent of last year's total.

Market surveillance authorities also reported IP enforcement activity rising by around 210 percent year on year in May.

At a June 2 review conference, Deputy PM Dung instructed ministries and enforcement agencies to sustain the campaign by increasing detected and handled IP infringement cases by at least 20 percent over previous years and stepping up inspections, investigations, and criminal enforcement against serious and organized violations.

He said the government would continue strengthening IP protection and enforcement to better safeguard legitimate rights and interests, reinforce fair competition, and demonstrate to international partners Vietnam's commitment to protecting IP rights.

IP protection helps safeguard legitimate business interests

Stronger IP rights protection is expected to better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of businesses by protecting brands, technologies, creative works, and other intellectual assets from infringement.

They also help create a fairer, more transparent, and predictable investment and business environment.

Counterfeit goods, IP infringement, and unfair competition have long imposed significant costs on legitimate businesses, eroding brand value, reducing revenue, weakening consumer confidence, and discouraging innovation.

As Vietnam's digital economy expands, the rapid growth of e-commerce has made violations increasingly difficult to detect and prevent.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam's e-commerce market remains one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia, underscoring the need for tougher oversight of online marketplaces and closer cooperation with platform operators to curb IP infringements.

The government's strengthened enforcement efforts are also being implemented nationwide.

Ho Chi Minh City has launched a high-intensity campaign against counterfeit goods, trade fraud, and IP infringement, while customs authorities are stepping up inspections to prevent counterfeit and IP-infringing products from crossing Vietnam's borders.

Officials have repeatedly stressed that effective IP rights protection and enforcement are essential to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of businesses and investors, promoting fair competition, and building a transparent, predictable, and rules-based investment environment, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The WIPO notes that effective IP systems give businesses greater confidence to invest in research, product development, branding, and technology commercialization, enabling them to compete more successfully in global markets.

By protecting legitimate business interests and promoting fair competition, improved IP rights protection are expected to strengthen the investment climate, boost investor confidence, and support Vietnam's long-term economic development.

IP protection fosters innovation, national credibility

Vietnam's enhanced protection and enforcement of IP rights reflect a growing recognition that innovation will drive the country's next stage of development while strengthening its credibility as a trusted and responsible partner in the global economy.

As Vietnam develops strategic industries such as semiconductors, AI, biotechnology, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing, effective protection of IP assets is becoming increasingly important to encourage research, accelerate technology commercialization, and create further incentives for innovation.

The rapid development of AI is creating new legal and IP challenges involving software, digital content, and emerging technologies, reinforcing the need for a more adaptive IP system, Nhan Dan reported.

According to the WIPO, effective IP systems support innovation, facilitate technology transfer, attract investment, and sustain long-term economic growth by enabling innovators and businesses to bring new technologies to the market.

Stronger protection and enforcement of IP not only support domestic innovation but also demonstrate Vietnam's commitment to honoring its international obligations, improving the investment environment, and building a transparent, rules-based economy, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Deputy PM Dung said improved IP enforcement not only serves domestic needs but also demonstrates to international partners Vietnam's determination and tangible effectiveness in protecting IP rights.

As Vietnam deepens global economic integration and competes for investment in technology and innovation, effective IP protection is becoming an increasingly important indicator of institutional quality, investor confidence, and national credibility.

Ultimately, protecting and enforcing IP rights is no longer simply about combating infringement.

It has become an integral part of Vietnam's long-term development strategy to foster innovation, safeguard legitimate business interests, and strengthen the country's credibility as a transparent, reliable, and competitive destination for investment, technology, and sustainable growth.