Registering an industrial design
Protects the outward appearance of a product. Costs scale with the number of design variants and figures filed, so a carefully prepared image set saves real money.
- Competent authority: Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam — Ministry of Science and Technology
Steps
| # | Steps | Contents | Timeline | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Search registered designs (Case by case) | Search the WIPO Global Design Database and the IP Office database. | 1–2 weeks | |
| 2 | Prepare photographs or drawings | All views of the product must be shown. An incomplete set of views is a common reason for amendment requests that add weeks to the process. | 1–2 weeks | |
| 3 | File the application and pay the fees | 1 day | ||
| 4 | Formality examination | 1 month from a valid filing | Điều 119 Luật SHTT | |
| 5 | Publication of the application | 2 months from acceptance of a valid application | Điều 110 Luật SHTT | |
| 6 | Substantive examination | Assesses novelty and creativity of the design. The deadline was shortened under the framework in force from 1 April 2026. | 5–7 months from publication | Luật số 131/2025/QH15; Nghị định 100/2026/NĐ-CP |
| 7 | Grant of the industrial design patent | After paying the grant charge |
Documents required
| Documents required | Required | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial design application form | Required | |
| Set of photographs or drawings of the design | Required | Showing every view of the product for each design variant. |
| Description of the design | Required | |
| Power of attorney for the IP agent | Case by case | |
| Priority document | Case by case |
Fees and charges
| Fees and charges | VND | Legal basis | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing charge | 150.000 | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC | |
| Publication fee for the application | 120.000 | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC | |
| Additional publication fee from the second figure onward | 60.000 / VND per figure | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC | |
| Search fee in aid of examination | 480.000 / VND per subject matter | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC | |
| Substantive examination fee | 700.000 / VND per design variant | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC | |
| Grant charge for the protection title | 120.000 | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC | |
| Registry entry fee for the grant decision | 120.000 | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC | |
| Publication fee for the grant decision | 120.000 | Thông tư 263/2016/TT-BTC |
50% reduction in industrial property fees under Circular 64/2025/TT-BTC: In force 1 July 2025 – 31 December 2026; VNeID filing also waives the filing and grant charges.
Filing channels
- In person, by post, or online
Common mistakes
- A design protects appearance, not function. If the novelty lies in how the thing works, look at a patent or utility solution instead.
- Putting the product on the market before filing can destroy the design's novelty.
- The maximum total is 15 years (5 + two 5-year renewals), not 20 as several sources incorrectly state.