# Registering an industrial design

Source: https://luatbanquyen.com/en/procedures/register-an-industrial-design · Updated: 2026-08-17

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

[https://ipvietnam.gov.vn/](https://ipvietnam.gov.vn/)

## 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.

## Sources

- [Circular 263/2016/TT-BTC — industrial property fee schedule](https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/default.aspx?pageid=27160&docid=188038) (263/2016/TT-BTC)
- [Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam — official portal](https://ipvietnam.gov.vn/)

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Reference material only; it does not replace legal advice on a specific matter.