Protect Trademark for Science & Technology Services in Vietnam

The growing knowledge economy has motivated science and technology organizations and enterprises to place greater emphasis on brand building and protection. Obtaining trademark protection for science and technology services is not only a way to establish lawful intellectual property rights but also contributes to enhancing reputation, building trust with partners and customers. It is a strategic step to safeguard research outcomes, increase commercial value, and affirm market position in an increasingly competitive environment. This article by Viet An Law provides essential legal issues to protect trademark for science & technology services in Vietnam.

Classification of trademarks for science and technology services

Pursuant to Article 87 of the Intellectual Property Law 2005 (as amended in 2022):

“Goods and services indicated in a trademark application must be classified into appropriate groups in accordance with the classification table under the Nice Agreement […] as published by the state authority on industrial property rights.”

Decree No. 65/2023/ND-CP promulgates application forms, in which Form No. 08 – Appendix I, under the section “List and classification of goods and services bearing the trademark,” requires classification according to the Vietnamese version of the Nice Classification in force at the time of filing.

On 27 December 2025, the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam issued Notice No. 4039/TB-SHTT on the uniform application of the international classification of goods and services under the Nice Agreement, version 12-2025, effective from 01 January 2025, replacing version 12-2024. Accordingly, from 01 January 2025, applicants must classify goods and services under version 12-2025.

According to the Nice Classification, version 12-2025, services fall within Classes 35–45, among which:

• Class 42 is specifically reserved for “scientific and technological services”, including:
  • Scientific laboratory, inspection, and testing services;
  • Research, evaluation, reporting, and technology consulting;
  • Technical, technological, or design and development engineering services;
  • Programming, software development, technical consulting;
  • Activities related to science and complex technical fields performed by individuals or expert groups.

Entities entitled to protect trademarks for science & technology services in Vietnam

According to Article 87 of the Intellectual Property Law 2005 (as amended in 2022):

• Organizations and individuals are entitled to register trademarks for the services they themselves provide.
• Organizations and individuals conducting lawful commercial activities are entitled to register trademarks for products they market but are manufactured by others, provided that the manufacturer does not use such trademarks and does not object to the registration.
• Collectives lawfully established are entitled to register collective trademarks for use by their members in accordance with the collective trademark use regulations; with respect to signs indicating geographical origin of services, the entitled applicant shall be the collective organization of organizations/individuals conducting business in that locality.
• Organizations with functions of control, certification of quality, characteristics, origin, or other criteria relating to services may register certification trademarks, provided they do not engage in the business of such services.
• Two or more organizations or individuals may jointly register a trademark to become co-owners under the following conditions:
  • The trademark must be used in the name of all co-owners or for services in which all co-owners participate in business activities;
  • Such use must not confuse consumers regarding the origin of services.

Persons entitled to registration under Clauses 1–5 above, including those who have filed applications, may assign registration rights to other organizations or individuals by written contract, inheritance, or succession under the law, provided that the transferees satisfy conditions corresponding to the entitled registrants.

For trademarks protected in a country that is a member of an international treaty prohibiting representatives or agents of the trademark owner from registering such trademarks, to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is also a member, representatives or agents shall not be permitted to register the trademark without the owner’s consent, unless justified reasons exist.

Application dossier to protect trademark for science & technology services in Vietnam

According to guidance by the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam, a trademark application currently includes:

• Trademark registration form (Form No. 01-NH under Appendix I issued with Circular 23/2023/TT-BKHCN);
• Trademark specimen (with 05 printed samples on paper, size 80mm × 80mm);
• List of services for which trademark protection is sought, classified under the Nice Classification (science and technology services usually fall under Class 42);
• Documents evidencing entitlement to registration if rights are derived from another person (e.g., assignment contract, decision of transfer);
• Power of Attorney (if filed through an industrial property representative);
• Documents evidencing priority right (if claiming priority under the Paris Convention);
• Proof of payment of prescribed state fees.

Procedures to protect trademarks for science & technology services in Vietnam

Step 1: Search & assess registrability

• Conduct preliminary search and assessment to determine whether the trademark may conflict with earlier applications, particularly within Class 42 (science & technology services).
• If registrability is high → proceed to filing; if not → adjust trademark and re-search.
• Preliminary search may be conducted free of charge at: https://wipopublish.ipvietnam.gov.vn/ or through paid search services by the National Office of Intellectual Property.

Step 2: Prepare and file the application

Paper submission:

• The applicant may file directly or via postal service to the following NOIP receiving offices:
  • NOIP Headquarters: 386 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi;
  • NOIP Ho Chi Minh City Office: 31 Han Thuyen, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC;
  • NOIP Da Nang Office: 3rd Floor, 135 Minh Mang, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang.
• For postal submissions, fees must be transferred through the postal service, and a copy of the transfer receipt must be enclosed as proof.

Online submission:

• Conditions: Applicants must have a digital certificate, a digital signature, and an approved account registered on NOIP’s online filing system.
• Procedure:
  • Declare and apply https://dichvucong.ipvietnam.gov.vn/.
  • Upon submission, the system issues a Receipt Note.
  • Within 01 month from online filing, the applicant must present the Receipt Note, submit accompanying documents (if any), and pay fees at an NOIP receiving office.

Step 3: Formality examination

• Within a maximum of 01 month from receipt:
  • If valid, acceptance notice issued;
  • If amendments are required, the applicant is notified to supplement within the prescribed time.

Step 4: Publication of the application

• Once formality is accepted, the application is published in the Industrial Property Gazette within 02 months.

Step 5: Substantive examination

• Within max. 09 months from publication (extendable up to 12–15 months if amendments are requested).
• Examination includes checking distinctiveness, similarity, and proper classification (e.g., “biotechnology research services,” “technical software development,” all under Class 42).

Step 6: Grant or refusal of a protection certificate

• If eligible → NOIP issues Notification of Intention to Grant → Applicant pays grant fees → certificate of trademark registration issued within 1–2 months.
• If opposed or unmet → NOIP issues Refusal or Partial Grant Decision → Applicant may respond within 03 months to appeal or amend.

State Fees for protecting trademarks for science & technology services

• International classification fee: 100,000 VND (for each group up to 6 services; from 7th service onward: 20,000 VND/service);
• Application publication fee: 120,000 VND;
• Publication of Grant Decision: 120,000 VND;
• Registration of Grant Decision: 120,000 VND;
• Search fee for examination: 180,000 VND (for each group up to 6 services; from 7th service onward: 30,000 VND/service);
• Substantive examination fee: 550,000 VND (for each group up to 6 services; from 7th onward: 120,000 VND/service);
• Examination of priority right claim: 600,000 VND per application per claim;
• Certificate issuance fee: 120,000 VND (for the first service, additional groups: 100,000 VND/group);
• Application filing fee: 150,000 VND per application.

Note: From 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2025, online filing fees are reduced by 50% (75,000 VND/application).

Some registered trademarks for science and technology services in Vietnam

• LE DUONG: Registered for architectural design, architectural consultancy, industrial design, and interior design services.
• BIMIC: Registered for architectural services, consulting, preparation of construction drawings, industrial, and interior design.
• NEO HOUSE: Registered for interior/architectural design, technical consultancy.
• SmartDev Company Limited: Registered for “AI Consulting & Solution Development” services.
• FOXAI Technology: Registered trademarks FoxProcurement, FoxWMS – technology solutions for procurement and warehouse management.
• ROBOWORLD Group: Registered BubuSmart Smart Service Robot – intelligent robot services in automation and technology.

Viet An Law provides information to protect trademark for science & technology services in Vietnam. For detailed consultation, please contact Viet An Law directly.