Tiếng Việt
中文 (中国)
日本語
Trademark registration in Vietnam has undergone significant legal changes since 2025, particularly regarding examination timelines and official fees. Effective April 1, 2026, amendments to Vietnam’s Law on Intellectual Property have shortened the statutory timeline for substantive examination of trademark applications. Meanwhile, temporary fee reductions remain in effect through December 31, 2026. Businesses and individuals seeking trademark protection should understand these changes to plan their filings, budgets, and brand protection strategies effectively.
1. Which authority handles trademark registration in Vietnam?
The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is the competent authority responsible for examining trademark applications and granting trademark registration certificates. Its offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang support the administration of industrial property procedures.
Applicants may file trademark applications in paper form or online through IP Vietnam’s online public service portal, subject to applicable filing requirements. Foreign applicants without a business establishment or residence in Vietnam generally must submit applications through a legally qualified industrial property representative in Vietnam.
Applicants should ensure that their applications contain the required documents, a clear representation of the trademark, and an appropriately classified list of goods and services under the Nice Classification.
2. How long does trademark registration take in Vietnam?
Since April 1, 2026, Vietnam has shortened several statutory deadlines for trademark registration applications under Law No. 131/2025/QH15, which amends the Law on Intellectual Property.
The main statutory timelines are as follows:
- Formal examination: Within one month from the filing date.
- Publication: Within one month from the date the application is deemed valid.
- Substantive examination: Within five months from the date of publication.
- Third-party opposition: Within three months from the date of publication.
In certain cases specified by law, applicants may request expedited substantive examination, with a statutory examination period of three months from publication, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
These periods are statutory deadlines for individual procedural stages, not a guarantee that a trademark registration certificate will be issued within a fixed overall period. The actual registration process may take longer if the application encounters objections, office actions, third-party oppositions, or other procedural complications. Applicants should also allow time for the final registration formalities and issuance of the certificate.
3. What are the trademark registration fees in Vietnam in 2026?
Trademark registration costs in Vietnam depend on the number of classes, the number of goods or services listed, and the procedural requirements of each application. Government charges generally include application filing, classification where applicable, information search, substantive examination, publication, and registration-related charges.
Under Circular No. 64/2025/TT-BTC, industrial property fees and charges are subject to different rules. The 50% reduction applies to the industrial property charges specified in the relevant fee schedule, rather than automatically halving every government charge associated with trademark registration.
The temporary reduction applies from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, including eligible applications filed online. From January 1, 2027, the applicable charges will revert to the rates under Circular No. 263/2016/TT-BTC and any amendments or replacement instruments then in force, unless further changes are introduced.
Applicants should therefore obtain a case-specific quotation rather than rely on the broad estimates previously published for 2025. The total cost may increase where an application covers multiple classes, includes additional goods or services subject to supplementary charges, or requires responses to examination objections. Professional fees for an industrial property representative are separate from official government charges.
4. Strategic tips for trademark registration in Vietnam
Businesses should conduct a trademark availability search before filing to identify potentially conflicting earlier marks. Although a search cannot guarantee registration, it can help applicants assess risks and consider modifications before incurring further costs.
Selecting the correct goods and services classes is equally important. An overly narrow specification may leave important commercial activities insufficiently protected, while an unnecessarily broad specification may increase costs and complicate examination.
Applicants should also monitor their applications after filing, respond promptly to official notices, and consider whether expedited examination is available under the applicable rules. Foreign businesses entering the Vietnamese market should incorporate trademark registration in Vietnam into their market-entry planning, ideally before launching products, appointing distributors, or investing substantially in local brand promotion.
With the revised examination deadlines and temporary fee reductions, 2026 presents an important opportunity for businesses to review their trademark portfolios and plan new filings. However, applicants should verify the applicable fees and procedural requirements at the time of filing, particularly when planning applications that may extend into 2027.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
ASL LAW is the top-tier Vietnam law firm for Intellectual Property Services. If you need any advice, please contact us for further information or collaboration.
