The legislative timeline and what changed in 2026

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 The latest, effective 1 April 2026, has left most online guidance out of date.

If you read only one entry here before researching elsewhere, read this one. Vietnam's IP framework has just been through its biggest change since 2005, and most guidance circulating online still quotes the old figures.

The timeline

The 2005 IP Law (No. 50/2005/QH11, in force 1 July 2006) has been amended four times: by Law 36/2009/QH12 (WTO commitments), Law 42/2019/QH14 (CPTPP), Law 07/2022/QH15 (sound marks, clearer exceptions, WCT/WPPT groundwork), and Law 131/2025/QH15, issued 10 December 2025 and in force from 1 April 2026.

Four amendment rounds mean the original 2005 text is no longer usable for direct research. Use consolidated document 67/VBHN-VPQH instead.

What Law 131/2025/QH15 changed

Artificial intelligence. An AI system is not a subject of IP rights. Output produced fully automatically without human involvement is not protected as a human work or invention. Where a person uses AI as a tool and makes a substantial creative contribution — conception, direction, selection, editing — they may be recognised as author or inventor. The law also frames the use of AI training data.

Digitised procedures. Administrative reform and digitisation across IP operations, implemented through Circular 10/2026/TT-BKHCN, which restates dossier and language requirements.

Shorter examination. Substantive examination of trademark applications fell from 9 months to 5; patents to no more than 7 months from publication. An accelerated substantive examination procedure was added at Article 14a of Decree 65/2023 (as amended), cutting trademark examination to roughly 3 months.

Digital enforcement. New remedies against online infringement, explicit duties for digital platform operators, and higher statutory damages.

The implementing instruments

To research an industrial property rule in 2026 you must therefore read Decree 65/2023 together with its two amending decrees. That is why the Legal documents section of this site records amendment relationships explicitly.

A notable fee change

Outside the IP Law but directly affecting cost: Circular 64/2025/TT-BTC halves industrial property fees from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026, and filing via the VNeID app waives the filing and grant charges between 1 April and 31 December 2026. Rates are expected to revert to Circular 263/2016/TT-BTC from 1 January 2027 unless extended.

Cited documents

Sources