Vietnam Prime Minister Orders Sweeping National Action Against Intellectual Property Violations

Vietnam's Prime Minister has issued a sweeping directive instructing ministries, agencies, and local authorities to intensify their crackdown on intellectual property rights (IPR) infringements nationwide. The official dispatch, promulgated on May 6, underscores the government's determination to address ongoing challenges in IPR enforcement and to create a more robust legal environment for innovation and business.

According to the directive, while recent years have seen progress in combating IPR violations through coordinated and effective solutions, significant challenges remain. The dispatch notes that infringements continue to be complex in certain sectors and regions, adversely affecting the investment climate and undermining the legitimate rights of citizens, businesses, and organizations.

To achieve a breakthrough in IPR enforcement, the Prime Minister has called on all relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to immediately implement necessary measures to combat, prevent, and address IPR violations. The directive emphasizes a policy of "no forbidden zones" and "no exceptions" in penalizing offenders.

The Ministry of Public Security has been tasked with working alongside other ministries and agencies to verify, investigate, and prosecute serious cases of infringement involving copyrights, related rights, trademarks, and geographical indications. A particular focus is placed on dismantling high-traffic online platforms that illegally store and distribute movies, music, mobile games, and television programs in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, especially English.

The Supreme People's Procuracy and the Supreme People's Court have been instructed to expedite the prosecution and adjudication of intellectual property cases, ensuring strict and deterrent penalties in accordance with the law.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is directed to conduct immediate inspections of enterprises for compliance with computer software copyright regulations, as well as copyrights for movies, music, television programs, and video games. The ministry is also required to promptly address or refer serious infringement cases to competent authorities, with a target of increasing the number of handled cases by at least 20 percent compared to May 2025.

Additionally, the ministry must direct media and press agencies to enhance public awareness, enabling citizens, businesses, and communities to better identify and prevent IPR infringements, thereby improving law enforcement effectiveness.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with provincial and municipal People's Committees, are instructed to strengthen inspection, control, and supervision of IPR violations, particularly those related to industrial property and trademarks. These bodies are also expected to achieve a minimum 20 percent increase in resolved cases by May 2025.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required to coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other relevant entities to provide timely and comprehensive information to international partners regarding Vietnam's efforts in IPR enforcement.

All relevant ministries, agencies, and localities are mandated to implement a daily reporting regime on the detection, arrest, and handling of serious and complex IPR cases. These reports are to be consolidated by the Ministry of Science and Technology and submitted to the Prime Minister on a weekly basis or as requested.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is also responsible for providing timely opinions and assessment conclusions throughout the process of handling IPR infringements. Other ministries and agencies are required to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in these efforts.

After May 30, 2026, ministries, agencies, and localities are to review and evaluate the progress of these initiatives and continue to strengthen the effectiveness of IPR enforcement.

Secretaries of Provincial and Municipal Party Committees are called upon to lead and direct local party committees and authorities, mobilizing the entire political system to actively participate in the fight against IPR infringements and to ensure tangible improvements and results.

Finally, the Prime Minister has requested that Chairpersons of Provincial and Municipal People's Committees promptly establish inter-disciplinary working groups to oversee and coordinate the fight against IPR violations.