Trademark Registration in Vietnam

(2026 Updated Guide)

Trademark registration in Vietnam serves as a critical strategic step for businesses to establish legal ownership and prevent competitors from preemptively claiming their brand identity under the “first-to-file” principle. Once a Protection Title is granted, the owner enjoys exclusive rights of use and a robust legal basis to handle intellectual property infringements.

What does the registration process involve? What are the costs and timelines? This comprehensive guide by Viet An Law provides detailed instructions on how to register trademark in Vietnam according to the latest 2026 regulations.

Summary of Trademark Registration Procedures in 2026

Required Documents for Trademark Registration in Vietnam

To perform a trademark application Vietnam, the applicant must prepare the following fundamental documents:

Trademark Sample

• Logo file or word mark to be registered;
• Dimensions as per regulations (from 2cm x 2cm to 8cm x 8cm);
• For sound trademarks: Audio file and a graphic representation.

List of Goods and Services

• Comprehensive list of products/services intended for use with the trademark;
• Classification according to the Nice International Classification of Goods and Services (current version) – This is performed by Viet An Law.

Applicant Information

• Name of the individual or enterprise;
• Address and nationality;
• Enterprise Registration Certificate if the applicant is a company.

Power of Attorney (if filed via representative)

• Signed according to the template of the industrial property representative (Viet An Law template);
• Notarization or consular legalization of the Power of Attorney is not required.

State Fee Payment Vouchers

• Bank transfer receipts or fee payment documents as prescribed.

Important Note

• Foreign individuals/organizations are required to file applications through a licensed industrial property representative in Vietnam.
• For collective or certification trademarks, a Regulation on Use and other relevant documents must be supplemented.

Trademark registration procedure through Viet An Law

Step 1: Trademark search

Benefits of performing a trademark search

• Checking the registrability of the mark;
• Avoiding identity or confusing similarity with previously registered marks;
• Reducing the risk of application refusal;
• Saving time and registration costs;
• Optimizing the trademark protection Vietnam strategy.

Documents required for trademark search

To conduct a trademark search, clients only need to provide Viet An Law with:

• A sample of the trademark;
• The list of goods and/or services for which protection is sought.

Preliminary trademark search

• Applicants may conduct self-searches via the IP Vietnam website or WIPO portals.
• Through Viet An Law, a professional search is conducted to evaluate registrability.
• The preliminary search takes 01 day. If the mark is deemed unlikely to be registered, our lawyers will provide citations and solutions. If feasible, we proceed to an in-depth search.

In-depth trademark search

While not mandatory, this step is highly recommended to maximize the success rate. It provides the highest level of evaluation before officially filing. This procedure is voluntary but crucial for deciding whether to proceed with the Vietnam trademark registration.

• Timeframe: 01–03 days.
• Outcome: A formal Search Result Notice with legal evaluation and procedural guidance.

Step 2: Filing the Trademark Application

Once the in-depth search confirms feasibility, the applicant proceeds to file the dossier. The agency responsible for receiving and processing dossiers and collecting fees in Vietnam is the Vietnam National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP).

Step 3: Formality examination of the trademark application

The term for the formality examination is 01 month from the filing date. NOIP examines whether the application meets formal requirements, trademark samples, ownership rights, classification, etc.

• If requirements are met: A Decision on Acceptance of Valid Application is issued, and the application is published in the Industrial Property Official Gazette.
• If requirements are not met: A Notice of Intention to Refuse is issued, requesting amendments. The applicant or their representative must submit responses and additional fees if the classification was incorrect.

Step 4: Publication of the trademark application

• The term for formality examination is 01 month from the filing date. NOIP examines whether the application meets formal requirements, trademark samples, ownership rights, classification, etc.
• If requirements are met: A Decision on Acceptance of Valid Application is issued, and the application is published in the Industrial Property Official Gazette.
• If requirements are not met: A Notice of Intention to Refuse is issued, requesting amendments. The applicant or their representative must submit responses and additional fees if classification was incorrect.

Step 5: Substantive examination of the trademark application

• The term for formality examination is 01 month from the filing date. NOIP examines whether the application meets formal requirements, trademark samples, ownership rights, classification, etc.
• If requirements are met: A Decision on Acceptance of Valid Application is issued, and the application is published in the Industrial Property Official Gazette.
• If requirements are not met: A Notice of Intention to Refuse is issued, requesting amendments. The applicant or their representative must submit responses and additional fees if classification was incorrect.

Step 6: Issuance of the Trademark Registration Certificate

• After the applicant pays the granting fees, NOIP issues the Trademark Registration Certificate within 02–03 months.
• The total time for the registration process is typically 12–18 months from the date of formality acceptance.
• Term of Protection: A trademark is protected for 10 years from the filing date (priority date). The owner can renew the certificate indefinitely for subsequent 10-year terms. Thus, a trademark remains a core asset throughout the business operation.

Trademark Registration Fees in 2026

Registration Fees

For 01 class with ≤ 6 products/services:

• Filing fee: 150,000 VND;
• Publication fee: 120,000 VND;
• Search fee: 180,000 VND;
• Substantive examination fee: 550,000 VND;

Additional fees apply if there are multiple classes or more than 6 products/services per class.

Fees for granting the certificate

• Granting fee: 120,000 VND;
• Registration fee: 120,000 VND;
• Publication fee: 120,000 VND.

Conditions for Granting Protection

The sign must be visible or representable graphically

Protectable signs include:

• Letters, words;
• Drawings, images;
• Three-dimensional shapes;
• Combinations of letters and images;
• Signs expressed in one or more colors;
• Sound marks (must include an audio file and a graphic representation).

Distinctiveness

The sign must be capable of distinguishing the goods/services of the owner from those of others. A mark will not be protected if it is:

• Simple geometric shapes, single numbers/letters without stylization;
• Signs directly describing the products/services;
• Signs indicating time, location, production method, quality, or utility;
• Common geographical origins;
• Legal forms or business sectors.

No confusion or conflict with prior rights

The trademark must not:

• Be identical or confusingly similar to previously registered marks;
• Be identical to the trade names of other enterprises;
• Conflict with geographical indications, industrial designs, or copyrights.

Compliance with ethics and public order

The sign must not contain:

• Content contrary to social ethics;
• Misleading or deceptive content for consumers;
• National symbols or symbols of state agencies without permission.

Description and language requirements

When submitting your application:

• A trademark must fully describe all its constituent elements;
• If there are any foreign words, they must be translated into Vietnamese.
• If there are onomatopoeic words, they must be transliterated.
• If there are elements related to foreign origin, proof of legal right to use must be provided.

Important note

In cases where the trademark contains descriptive elements or common signs, the applicant may design a stylized version, incorporating graphic elements to create distinctiveness. However, the likelihood of being granted a registration depends on the assessment of the examining authority.

The best way to assess protectability is to perform a trademark search beforehand.

Benefits of trademark registration in Vietnam

Under Vietnam trademark law, registration is a long-term development strategy. Key benefits include:

Establishment of Legal Ownership

• Recognition by law as the rightful owner.
• Legal basis to handle infringements.
• Enjoyment of priority rights from the filing date.

Prevention and Enforcement

• The right to demand the cessation of unauthorized use.
• The right to claim damages.
• Legal grounds for complaints, lawsuits, or administrative actions.

Increasing Intangible Asset Value

A trademark is an intangible asset that can be:

• Transferred or assigned;
• Franchised;
• Contributed as capital;
• Valued in investment activities.

According to the Global 500 rankings by Brand Finance, global brands like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Samsung are valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, proving brand value can far exceed physical assets.

E-commerce Compliance

Many e-commerce platforms require proof of trademark ownership for:

• Registering official flagship stores (Mall/Official stores);
• Filing infringement complaints;
• Brand verification.

Classification of Goods and Services under the Nice Classification

When you register trademark in Vietnam, classification must follow the Nice Classification (Version 13-2026).

• The classification consists of 45 classes (34 for goods, 11 for services).
• Fees are calculated based on the number of classes and products/services.
• Trademark classification is distinct from the business lines listed in an Enterprise Registration Certificate.
• Trademarks must be used in reality; if not used for 5 consecutive years, they may be vulnerable to cancellation.

Key Considerations Before Filing a Trademark Application

Self-filing for trademark protection in Vietnam is restricted to Vietnamese individuals and domestic entities. Foreign applicants (individuals or organizations) are mandatory required to perform registration through an industrial property representative such as Viet An Law.

The Trademark Declaration

The application must include the Trademark Declaration following Form No. 08, Appendix I of Decree No. 65/2023/ND-CP (02 copies).

Important notes regarding the declaration:

• Protection Titles: These are issued in electronic or paper format. If a physical copy is required, the applicant must tick the designated box. Only one protection title is granted per application unless a duplicate is requested.
• Trademark Description: The description must clarify all constituent elements and the meaning of the mark. Words in figurative languages must be transliterated, and foreign words must be translated into Vietnamese. Marks containing descriptions related to foreign geographical origins require the applicant to possess the nationality of that country.

Documents Proving the Right to Use Special Signs

If the trademark contains special signs such as names, symbols, flags, emblems of agencies/organizations, certification marks, warranty marks, character names, trade names, geographical indications, or awards/medals belonging to others, a document proving the right to use must be provided (01 copy).

Other Documents for Specific Trademark Types

For collective or certification trademarks, the dossier must include:

• Regulation on the use of the collective/certification trademark.
• Explanatory statement on the characteristics or special quality of the products (if applicable).
• Map defining the geographical territory (for marks certifying geographical origin).
• Description of the business operations and history of the enterprise.

Strategic Advice for Trademark Protection

For a cohesive brand identity, businesses should synchronize their trademark Vietnam with:

• Trade Name: Aligning the trademark with the company name.
• Domain Name: Registering matching domains (e.g., “.vn”).
• Copyright (Logo): Registering copyright for the artistic design of the logo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has the right to register a trademark in Vietnam?

Both Vietnamese and foreign individuals, organizations, and enterprises.

Is trademark protection mandatory?

It is not mandatory but highly necessary to protect ownership rights.

Can an individual register a trademark?

Yes.

Can I register multiple classes in one application?

Yes, multi-class applications are permitted.

Are fees refunded if the application is refused?

No, paid fees are non-refundable.

How long does registration take?

Legally 12–15 months; in practice, usually 18–24 months depending on examination complexities.

Comprehensive Trademark Registration Services by Viet An Law

As a licensed Industrial Property Representative, Viet An Law provides professional and confidential full-package services for trademark registration in Vietnam.

• Pre-filing Consultation: Evaluating registrability and adjusting designs to increase success rates.
• In-depth Analysis: Searching national databases and providing solutions for conflicting marks.
• Dossier Preparation: Drafting declarations and representing clients before NOIP.
• Dispute Resolution: Handling refusals, third-party oppositions, and appeals.
• Maintenance: Handing over the certificate and advising on usage and renewals.

With nearly 20 years of experience, Viet An Law ensures a fast, compliant, and secure process to register trademark in Vietnam. Contact us today for a free preliminary search!

The Trademark Registration in Vietnam (2026 Updated Guide) is your essential roadmap to securing brand equity in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets. Early registration is the best defense against long-term legal risks.