Answer first: Dr. Le Xuan Nghia, Director of the Development Consultancy Institute and member of the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council, highlights the critical need for a risk-sharing ecosystem between the State and Vietnamese businesses. Addressing bottlenecks in research commercialisation, talent shortages, and enforcement…
Policy context for IP teams
Vietnam faces significant challenges in translating scientific research into commercially viable intellectual property, according to Dr. Le Xuan Nghia, Director of the Development Consultancy Institute and a member of the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council. In an interview with Nhan Dan Newspaper, Dr. Nghia emphasized the urgent need to shift from a protection-focused approach to building an ecosystem of risk-sharing between the State and businesses.
Dr. Nghia identified two primary bottlenecks limiting Vietnam’s intellectual property (IP) commercialisation. First, there is a weak linkage between research, production, and business sectors. Unlike developed countries where large corporations maintain their own research institutes and affiliated universities to align theory with practical needs, Vietnam’s businesses capable of research and development (R&D) remain very limited. This fragmentation results in small-scale initiatives lacking the robust research foundation necessary to meet international registration standards or scale commercially.
Key takeaways for risk-sharing intellectual property Vietnam
- Confirm how the development affects policy ownership, enforcement, licensing, or portfolio records.
- Separate confirmed facts from legal interpretation before advising business teams.
- Map deadlines, affected assets, contracts, and evidence files to the responsible internal owner.
- Use the issue as a prompt for monitoring, filing strategy, dispute preparation, or member education.
Practical analysis
Second, Vietnam suffers from a shortage of high-quality talent and research infrastructure. Dr. Nghia noted that science and technology development hinges on attracting and retaining skilled personnel, a strategy well executed by countries ahead of Vietnam. Additionally, the high costs associated with laboratories, trial production lines, and repeated testing pose financial barriers that most Vietnamese businesses cannot currently overcome.
Regarding existing policies aimed at promoting intellectual assets, Dr. Nghia argued that Vietnam still lacks a comprehensive and synchronized framework. He proposed three main policy pillars to foster innovation effectively. The first is establishing a closely connected model linking businesses, research institutes, and universities, with large businesses taking a proactive role in investing in training and research rather than relying solely on the public sector.
The second pillar involves developing research institutes and R&D centers within businesses, alongside mechanisms to attract and retain top-tier scientific talent. Dr. Nghia stressed that high-quality personnel are decisive in generating valuable inventions.
Third, he underscored the necessity of a financial mechanism for sharing risks in scientific research. Drawing on international experience, Dr. Nghia recommended State participation in funding key research projects, especially those involving core technologies. A collaborative capital contribution model involving the State, investment funds, and businesses can reduce risks and encourage long-term investment.
Dr. Nghia reiterated that scientific research inherently carries high risks, and without appropriate risk-sharing mechanisms, businesses are reluctant to invest.
On the issue of intellectual property rights infringement, particularly in the digital environment, Dr. Nghia identified inadequate social awareness as the fundamental challenge. He pointed out the widespread use of unlicensed software and unauthorized copying of creative works in music, visual arts, and digital content, which undermines the respect for IP value.
Moreover, he highlighted limitations within the enforcement system. Despite existing legal regulations, monitoring and handling violations remain insufficient due to a lack of tools, resources, and technical infrastructure necessary for effective detection, proof, and resolution of IP infringements.
Dr. Nghia’s insights underscore the critical need for Vietnam to adopt a risk-sharing ecosystem that integrates State support with business initiative, talent development, and robust enforcement to unlock the full economic potential of intellectual property.
Related IIPLA reading
Dr. Le Xuan Nghia Advocates Risk-Sharing Model to Boost Vietnam’s Intellectual Property Commercialisation Dr. Le Xuan Nghia, Director of the Development Consultancy Institute and member of the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Council, highlights the critical need for a risk-sharing ecosystem between the State and Vietnamese... Read the full IIPLA blog post: https://iipla.org/blog/dr-le-xuan-nghia-advocates-risk-sharing-model-to-boost-vietnam-s-intellectual-property-commercialisation