On January 5, 2026, in Hanoi, the Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam held a seminar themed “Information and Communication on Intellectual Property Activities.” The seminar served as an opportunity to assess the stage that Vietnam’s intellectual property (IP) administration has reached amid rapidly advancing administrative reforms and digital transformation in recent years.
2025 as a “Special Year”
At the seminar, the Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office described 2025 as a “special year” for the IP sector. As multiple policy agendas—such as the introduction of a two-tier local government system, the advancement of decentralization, administrative reform, and digitalization—were pursued simultaneously, the Intellectual Property Office faced a significantly increased workload. At the same time, however, it is noteworthy that clear results were achieved in core functions such as application processing and the granting of rights.
Enhanced Administrative Capacity Reflected in Improved Application Processing
In the field of industrial property, despite an increase in the number of applications filed, the number of applications processed rose sharply year on year, accompanied by a substantial increase in the issuance of certificates of protection. This represents more than a simple numerical improvement: it signifies a reduction in long-standing backlogs and an enhancement in the effectiveness of the rights-granting system.
The fact that positive growth continues across all areas—patents, industrial designs, and trademarks—suggests a steady rise in awareness among companies and research institutions of the strategic use of intellectual property. This can also be interpreted as a sign that innovation activity in Vietnam is transitioning from quantitative expansion to qualitative deepening.
Strong Emphasis on Legal Framework Development and International Alignment
Beyond routine application processing, the Intellectual Property Office plays a central role in institutional design. In the revision of the Intellectual Property Law, emphasis was placed on alignment with the demands of decentralization, digitalization, and international integration. The amendments passed by the National Assembly at the end of 2025, along with the directive promulgated in early 2026 to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights, provide a foundation for further enhancing the effectiveness of rights protection.
These developments reflect not only responses to domestic circumstances but also a strong awareness of alignment with international IP rules, underscoring Vietnam’s intention to enhance its credibility as a destination for international investment and technology transfer.
Entering the Implementation Phase of Digitalization and Decentralization
The full online availability of administrative procedures, high rates of online filing, and electronic notifications of results via digital signatures indicate that digital systems have moved beyond mere institutional preparation and are now being actively used in practice. In addition, the delegation of certain administrative procedures to the local level—where several thousand cases are actually being processed—demonstrates that decentralization is no longer symbolic but firmly in the implementation phase.
This marks a shift from a capital-centric IP administration to nationally accessible IP services, representing an important improvement in the environment for small and medium-sized enterprises and locally driven innovation.
Viewing Intellectual Property as an “Asset”
Another noteworthy development is the consideration of national policies to support the valuation of IP assets and the acquisition and protection of rights overseas. This reflects a growing perspective that views intellectual property not merely as an object of legal protection, but as an asset with economic value.
The Director General emphasized that intellectual property constitutes one of the main pillars of the global economy, citing the framework of the World Trade Organization and statistics from the World Intellectual Property Organization. The observation that the majority of assets held by S&P 500 companies are intangible assets succinctly illustrates the reality that, in the knowledge economy, the determinants of competitiveness have clearly shifted toward intellectual property.
Overcoming Backlogs and Future Challenges
Rapidly increasing application volumes, along with constraints in human and financial resources, remain significant challenges. Nevertheless, in addressing the issue of backlogs, Vietnam has achieved results that have garnered high international recognition, supported by resolutions of the National Assembly and strong commitment across the administration. This can be seen as a symbol of reform accompanied by genuine execution capacity.
Outlook Toward 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the Intellectual Property Office has set out goals that include further improvements to the legal framework, accelerated procedural reform, shorter processing times, and digital transformation with a view to the industry as a whole. These initiatives go beyond mere administrative efficiency, constituting the very foundation of society that supports innovation and sustainable growth.
The series of developments presented at this seminar clearly illustrate that Vietnam is steadily transitioning from a country that “builds an IP system” to one that “places intellectual property at the core of its growth strategy.” How these efforts will translate into enhanced corporate activity and greater international competitiveness remains a subject worthy of continued attention.