In the journey of global market expansion, many Vietnamese enterprises face severe risks when their trademarks are pre-registered by third parties abroad without their knowledge. This is a primary cause of business disruption and can even lead to the total loss of brand rights in key markets such as the USA, EU, or China.
In an era of increasingly fierce global competition, international trademark registration is no longer just a legal safeguard—it is a vital foundation for building a sustainable brand. Early registration ensures exclusive usage rights, supports business scaling on international e-commerce platforms, and minimizes the risk of costly legal disputes.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the international trademark registration 2026: Process & costs guide from Vietnam. We will explore popular filing methods, including direct applications, the Madrid System, and regional registrations. Additionally, enterprises will gain clear insights into costs, processing timelines, and practical experience to enhance the success rate of protecting their brands on a global scale.
| Content | Quick Summary |
| Concept | Registering a trademark abroad to obtain brand protection |
| Purpose | To prevent counterfeiting and trademark squatting (unauthorized appropriation) |
| Benefits | Exclusive usage rights, enhanced prestige, and international business expansion |
| Methods | Direct application / Madrid System / Regional (e.g., EU) |
| Timeframe | 12 – 24 months |
| Costs | Depends on the number of countries (higher than in Vietnam) |
| Scope of protection | Valid only within the registered countries/territories |
| Note | Early registration is recommended; prior search is essential to avoid refusal |
Quick conclusion:
International trademark registration = brand protection + market expansion + reduced legal risk.
International trademark registration is the process by which enterprises or individuals file applications for trademark protection in countries outside Vietnam to ensure ownership rights and prevent trademark infringement in foreign markets.
Because intellectual property rights are territorial, trademarks are only protected in the country or region where the applicant has registered. Therefore, if an enterprise wants to protect its brand in multiple countries, it needs to register individually or through international systems such as Madrid to receive protection in each target market.
In short: To obtain protection in a particular country, you must register there.
When Vietnamese enterprises need to register international trademarks, there are currently three common methods for protecting their brands abroad. Choosing the right method will help optimize costs, time, and scope of protection.
Enterprises file trademark applications directly with the intellectual property office of the country where they wish to obtain protection. This method is suitable for registration in one or a few specific markets; however, the costs and procedures may be higher due to the need for separate processing in each country.
Suitable for registration in 1–2 specific markets.
This is currently the most common method, allowing a single application to be filed through the Madrid system to register a trademark in multiple member countries. This option saves time, costs, and simplifies the international application process.
Managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization https://www.wipo.int (Wipo): 1 application → multiple countries → cost savings.
Applicants can register trademarks in specific economic and legal zones, such as the European Union (EU). With a single application, a trademark can be protected simultaneously in multiple countries within the same zone.
Submitted to the European Union Intellectual Property Office: 1 application → the entire EU.
Comparison of the three registration methods
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Suitability |
| Direct application | High level of control and initiative | High costs | Target 1–2 specific countries |
| Madrid | Cost-effective | Dependent on the home country’s application | Targeting multiple countries |
| EUIPO | Single application for the entire EU region | High initial costs | Targeting the EU market |
In summary:
Choosing the right form of protection = cost savings + increased protection.
Note: The US applies first-to-use → proof of use is required.
International trademark registration process (originating from Vietnam): 12 – 24 months.
Registering international trademarks offers many important benefits, helping Vietnamese enterprises protect their brands and achieve sustainable development in foreign markets.
Enterprises can easily list their products on global e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Shopify, etc. However, in many countries (especially the US), trademark registration is a necessary condition for legal business operations and brand building.
Upon registration, enterprises have the exclusive right to use the trademark in that country, effectively preventing counterfeiting, imitation, or infringement of intellectual property rights.
Owning a protected trademark helps enterprises enhance their reputation, build trust with customers and partners, thereby increasing their competitiveness in foreign markets.
Enterprises can transfer, franchise, or allow third parties to use the trademark to generate fees, creating additional revenue streams and increasing brand value.
Early registration helps avoid situations where the trademark is registered before it is in other countries, especially in countries that apply the “first-to-use” principle. It also minimizes costs and legal risks in case of disputes.
In summary: International trademark registration = brand protection + market expansion + profit optimization + reduced legal risks
Enterprises should conduct trademark searches in each country beforehand to avoid duplication, especially in challenging markets like the US and EU. Simultaneously, they should choose a unique, easily recognizable name and register it as early as possible following the “first come, first served” principle. Note that registering only in Vietnam is insufficient, as trademarks are not automatically protected abroad. To protect a global brand, it is advisable to register through the Madrid System or directly in target markets:
A Vietnamese food enterprise was selling very well on Amazon in the US but did not register its trademark early. After some time, another party filed a similar trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Result:
Subsequently, the enterprise:
Many enterprises only begin registering international trademarks after they have lost their brand – at which point the cost can be many times higher than the initial registration.
A Vietnamese agricultural enterprise exported its products to China and achieved good sales through a distribution partner. However, the enterprise did not register its trademark in China from the beginning.
After some time, the local partner:
China applies the first-to-file principle (first come, first served).
It doesn’t matter who uses it first.
What matters is who registers first.
The enterprise is forced to:
China has the highest rate of trademark disputes in the world due to its “first come, first served” principle, causing many foreign businesses to lose their trademarks before they even have a chance to register.
The cost of registering an international trademark is significantly higher than registering a trademark in Vietnam, due to the broader scope of protection and dependence on various factors such as the number of countries, the number of product/service classes, and the filing system.
| Criteria | Vietnam | International (Madrid / individual countries) |
| Scope of protection | Limited to Vietnam only | Multiple designated countries |
| Basic fees | Low | Higher (WIPO fees + individual country fees) |
| Total costs | Low (a few million VND) | Can be 5–10 times higher or more |
| Flexibility | Simple | More complex, depending on each country’s regulations |
trademark registration in Vietnam is suitable for domestic protection with low costs, while registering an international trademark is a large but necessary investment to protect the brand when expanding into the global market.
The time it takes to register an international trademark usually ranges from 12 to 24 months, depending on the examination process of each country or region. Some markets, such as the US or EU, may require additional documentation, so the process may take longer.
Yes. Most countries, territories, and the Madrid System apply the Nice international classification to categorize goods and services when registering trademarks. This standardizes the process and facilitates the expansion of international protection.
The cost of registering an international trademark is not fixed and depends on the number of designated countries. When filing through the Madrid System, in addition to the general fee, businesses still have to pay separate fees for each country. In reality, the total cost is often many times higher than registering in Vietnam.
No. Trademarks are only protected within the country or region where they are registered. If an enterprise wants protection in multiple markets, it must specify each country or region in the application.
With experience and a network of over 100 countries, Viet An Law is a reputable intellectual property representative, providing efficient support for searching, filing applications, and processing international trademark registration procedures. Enterprises can contact us for advice on a fast and cost-effective global trademark protection strategy.
With 19 years of experience in intellectual property law consulting, Viet An Law provides comprehensive international trademark registration services for Vietnamese enterprises seeking brand protection abroad. We support registrations in over 100 countries through various methods such as direct filing, the Madrid System, and regional registration.
Registering international trademarks early helps enterprises protect their brands, expand their markets, and reduce legal risks globally.
Contact Viet An Law for strategic advice on registering international trademarks in over 100 countries – optimizing costs and increasing success rates: 09 61 67 55 66 (Zalo/WhatsApp).
