Vietnam vows tough action on IP violations, urges fair US assessment: foreign ministry

The foreign ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the remarks at a press briefing on Thursday in response to questions about Vietnam-related issues raised in the 2026 Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

The questions also addressed Vietnam’s policies and recommendations for domestic exporters following the report’s release.

“Vietnam’s position is to strictly handle all acts of IP infringement and continue strengthening the protection and enforcement of IP rights,” Hang said.

She asserted that Vietnam calls on the U.S. to make an objective and balanced assessment of the country’s efforts and achievements in protecting and enforcing IP rights.

She added that Vietnam is ready to share information and clarify its policies and regulations with international partners, including the U.S., in order to appropriately address differences, improve the investment and business environment, and promote international cooperation in the field.

Hang said Vietnam has continued improving and harmonizing its IP legal framework.

From the 2005 Intellectual Property Law to subsequent amendments, particularly the revised law adopted in 2025, the framework has become increasingly comprehensive and modernized, aligning with domestic development needs and commitments under new-generation free trade agreements, she said.

Vietnam’s efforts to foster innovation and strengthen IP protection and enforcement have been recognized by the World Intellectual Property Organization, with the country ranking 44th among 139 countries and economies in the 2025 Global Innovation Index, placing it among ASEAN’s leading performers in the field.

Beyond legal reforms, the government has issued a range of directives and administrative documents to strengthen the enforcement of IP rights and combat smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and IP-infringing products.

These include a project on combating counterfeit goods and protecting consumers in e-commerce through 2025; a series of directives and official dispatches on peak enforcement campaigns in 2025; and Directive No. 02/CT-TTg dated January 30, 2026, issued by the prime minister on strengthening IP rights enforcement.

Most recently, on May 5, the prime minister issued Official Dispatch No. 38/CD-TTg directing agencies to intensify efforts to prevent and tackle IP violations in a bid to improve enforcement effectiveness.

According to Hang, the measures reflect Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening IP protection and enforcement in tandem with sustainable development goals, enhancing transparency and safety in the investment environment, and fulfilling international commitments.

She noted that Vietnamese authorities have recently worked closely with technology companies and providers of cross-border platforms and services to detect and handle numerous IP violations.

In 2025 alone, market surveillance forces handled 3,306 IP infringement cases in traditional markets and another 599 linked to e-commerce platforms and social media, Hang said.

More than 1,200 websites providing and sharing content suspected of infringing copyright and related rights were also blocked.

The number of criminal investigations, prosecutions, and trials involving IP increased from the previous year, while customs authorities uncovered multiple large-scale cases involving counterfeit and IP-infringing goods.

“We believe that alongside the government’s efforts, IP rights holders, providers of cross-border platforms and services, and other relevant parties need to further strengthen their responsibility in reviewing, preventing, removing, and handling content, goods, and services showing signs of IP rights violations,” she said.

For the business community, including exporters, Hang recommended strengthening compliance with IP regulations and refraining from producing, trading, distributing or facilitating counterfeit trademark goods and IP-infringing products.

She also urged businesses to proactively protect IP assets and coordinate with authorities and IP rights holders to detect, prevent, and handle violations.

“This is a shared responsibility aimed at building a healthy and transparent business environment, while enhancing the reputation of Vietnamese enterprises and Vietnam’s image in economic cooperation,” the spokesperson said.