Overview of the IP system

The three branches of rights, the authorities, how rights arise, and the legislative timeline.

The three branches of intellectual property in Vietnam

Vietnam's IP Law splits into three branches with three authorities, three ways rights arise and three sets of terms. Choosing the wrong branch is the costliest early mistake.

Which authority handles what

Filing with the wrong authority is the fastest way to lose several weeks. A lookup table of who administers which right.

How rights arise — automatically or only on filing

Two opposing principles live in one statute: copyright arises automatically, while industrial property runs strictly on first-to-file.

The legislative timeline and what changed in 2026

The 2005 IP Law has been amended four times. The latest, effective 1 April 2026, has left most online guidance out of date.