Vietnam Commits to Enhanced Intellectual Property Dialogue and Enforcement Amid U.S. Concerns

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry has declared its willingness to share information and clarify its intellectual property policies with international partners, notably the United States, to appropriately address concerns raised regarding IP rights. This statement was made by spokesperson Pham Thu Hang during the ministry’s regular press briefing on May 14, 2025, in response to inquiries about Vietnam’s policies and guidance for domestic exporters following issues cited in the U.S. 2026 Special 301 Report on intellectual property.

Pham Thu Hang emphasized Vietnam’s firm commitment to rigorously addressing all acts of intellectual property infringement and continuing to enhance IP protection and enforcement mechanisms. She noted that Vietnam’s legal framework related to intellectual property has been continuously improved and harmonized to meet international standards.

The spokesperson also highlighted Vietnam’s progress in fostering an innovation-friendly environment, which has been recognized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). In 2025, Vietnam ranked 44th out of 139 countries and economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII), positioning it among ASEAN countries with positive performance in innovation and IP protection.

Beyond legal reforms, the Vietnamese government has issued multiple directives and policy documents aimed at strengthening IP enforcement and combating smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and other intellectual property violations. Most recently, the Prime Minister issued an official dispatch calling for more decisive measures to prevent and handle IP violations, aiming to create substantial improvements and enhance enforcement effectiveness.

Pham Thu Hang explained that these efforts reflect Vietnam’s consistent policy to bolster intellectual property protection in line with sustainable development goals, build a transparent and secure business environment, and effectively implement international commitments.

Vietnamese authorities have recently collaborated closely with technology companies, as well as cross-border platform and service providers, to detect and address numerous IP-related cases. In 2025, enforcement agencies handled thousands of intellectual property infringement cases. The Market Surveillance Force alone managed 3,306 cases in traditional markets and 599 cases involving e-commerce platforms and social media.

Additionally, more than 1,200 websites suspected of infringing copyrights and related rights were blocked. The number of criminal investigations, prosecutions, and trials involving IP violations also increased compared to the previous year. Customs authorities uncovered and dealt with numerous cases involving counterfeit goods and products infringing intellectual property rights, many involving significant values.

Pham Thu Hang underscored the importance of shared responsibility, stating, “Alongside the efforts of the Vietnamese government, rights holders, cross-border platform providers, and relevant stakeholders also need to further strengthen their responsibilities in reviewing, preventing, removing, and handling content, goods, and services showing signs of intellectual property infringement on their platforms.”

She called for more active cooperation among all parties to combat intellectual property violations effectively.

For the business community, including exporters, Vietnam recommends increasing awareness and compliance with intellectual property laws and avoiding the production, trading, or distribution of counterfeit goods and products that violate IP rights.