In brief
On 17 July 2026, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 1782/QD-BCT, adopting its 2026-2027 action plan to strengthen administrative enforcement of IP rights (“Plan”). The Plan points to more active, coordinated and technology-enabled enforcement against counterfeits, online infringements and copyright piracy, with stronger cooperation between authorities, rights holders and e-commerce platforms.
Key takeaways
- Vietnam is prioritizing administrative IP enforcement: The Plan runs to 31 December 2027 and is expected to shape enforcement practice beyond that period.
- Online trade is firmly in scope: Authorities will focus on high-risk goods, major and cross-border platforms, faster alerts and better information sharing.
- Enforcement is becoming more technology-led: AI, big data and blockchain are flagged for tracing, evidence collection, administrative handling and warning systems.
- Copyright enforcement receives express attention: The Plan calls for stronger anti-piracy action and closer inter-agency coordination.
- Rights holders should engage early: Brand and copyright owners can improve outcomes through evidence packs, training, intelligence sharing and platform cooperation.
In more detail
1. Priority enforcement areas
- The Plan is intended to deliver a step change in administrative IP enforcement, with particular focus on copyright and related rights, counterfeit and IP-infringing goods, digital channels and e-commerce. Enforcement activity is expected to be more targeted, with priority given to high-risk goods, major online marketplaces and cross-border platforms.
- The Plan also requires at least one nationwide peak enforcement campaign each year to inspect, address and sanction IP infringements, focusing on high-risk locations, sectors and targets.
2. Stronger enforcement in e-commerce and digital environments
- A key feature of the Plan is its digital enforcement agenda. The Ministry intends to strengthen monitoring, detection and early-warning mechanisms for suspected IP infringements on e-commerce platforms.
- The Plan sets a target for 100% of urgent alerts on suspected IP-infringing conduct on e-commerce platforms to be transferred electronically to competent authorities within 24 hours of detection or receipt.
- The Plan also contemplates data-sharing mechanisms among the Department of E-Commerce and Digital Economy, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, and local Market Surveillance forces to support verification, inspection and handling of online IP infringements.
3. Use of technology for enforcement
- The Plan expressly links IP enforcement with digital transformation, including the potential use of AI, big data and blockchain for tracing, evidence collection and administrative handling of IP violations.
- The Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, together with relevant units, is tasked with studying and proposing advanced technology solutions for product-origin tracing and IP protection in the digital environment. The expected output includes a warning system for trade fraud, including online IP violations.
4. Enhanced protection of copyright and related rights
- Beyond trademark counterfeiting, the Plan gives specific attention to copyright and related-rights enforcement. This includes stronger action against piracy and unauthorized use of protected content, as well as closer coordination among copyright enforcement authorities.
- The Plan sets a target for provincial authorities to increase copyright and related-rights inspections and enforcement cases by 20% year-on-year.
5. Greater cooperation with rights holders and online platforms
- The Plan encourages closer collaboration among enforcement authorities, rights holders and e-commerce platforms.
- In practice, this may include a digital database of rights holders and their representatives, prioritization of well-known and frequently infringed brands, and formal cooperation mechanisms with online platforms to support faster verification and enforcement action.
6. Practical enforcement strategy for rights holders
- Use administrative action to build enforcement leverage: Administrative enforcement should remain the first-line route for most counterfeiting, online infringement and market-surveillance cases in Vietnam, given its speed, cost efficiency and practical impact. But the strongest strategy will often go further: use administrative action to gather evidence, disrupt supply chains, identify repeat offenders and build leverage for follow-on measures, including platform takedowns, customs watch, civil claims, criminal referrals, settlement discussions, distributor clean-up or broader market-compliance programs.
- Use copyright as part of a broader toolkit: The Plan’s express copyright focus gives rights holders another route to protect packaging, product images, software, content, advertising assets and platform materials. Businesses should assess whether copyright registrations and copyright-based complaints can complement trademark actions, especially where fast takedown, proof of copying or digital-content enforcement is important.
- Turn cooperation into action: Frequently targeted brands should engage enforcement authorities before problems arise through training sessions, hotline contacts, authentication support and intelligence sharing. Businesses should also use platform cooperation mechanisms so online takedowns, seller verification and repeat-infringer evidence can support offline enforcement and follow-on action.
- Prepare for a more data-driven enforcement environment: As authorities consider AI, big data, blockchain and warning systems, rights holders should strengthen their own data discipline, including product traceability information, distributor records, authorized seller lists and infringement trend reports. Better data can help connect online listings, warehouse activity, import channels and repeat offenders, making each enforcement step more useful beyond the immediate seizure or takedown.
Conclusion
The Plan sends a positive and engaging message: Vietnam is continuing to do its best to make the IP enforcement environment cleaner, more reliable and more supportive of businesses operating in Vietnam. For rights holders, the Plan is also more than an enforcement policy. It provides a clear signal of support and direction, encouraging businesses to consider carefully the enforcement strategy that will best protect their existing operations, future investments and commercial use of IP in Vietnam, including through stronger copyright enforcement where relevant. To deliver that value, the Plan needs action. Its priorities will be most effective where rights holders use them in a practical way: engaging early with authorities and platforms, preparing strong evidence, using administrative action as the first-line route, making copyright part of the enforcement toolkit, and connecting these measures with other enforcement options where this will produce a better commercial outcome.
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Hoa Tran, Partner, Dung Pham, Special Counsel, and Son Tuan Do, Senior Associate, have co-authored this legal update.
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