Following the rigorous implementation of Directive No. 38/CD-TTg, Vietnam has witnessed a transformative crackdown on intellectual property infringement, uncovering over 3,300 cases and prosecuting 85 criminally within a short timeframe. Enforcement efforts are actively targeting both traditional physical markets and digital platforms, reflecting a firm commitment to protecting IP rights without exceptions.
HANOI – The rigorous implementation of the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 38/CD-TTg is driving a significant transformation in intellectual property (IP) enforcement across Vietnam. Nationwide, authorities have uncovered thousands of suspected infringements, processed administrative penalties for thousands of violations, and initiated multiple criminal prosecutions.
During a June 2, 2026 conference, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung instructed ministries, sectors, and local authorities to maintain the assertive, synchronized, and effective execution of Directive No. 38/CD-TTg. The directive mandates a concentrated focus on continuously combatting, preventing, and prosecuting IP violations.
Acting on this directive, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), advised MOST to issue guidelines for monthly reporting in accordance with Notice No. 287/TB-VPCP. This system actively monitors nationwide enforcement to provide timely updates to the Prime Minister. According to MOST, this periodic reporting guarantees consistent enforcement, yields concrete evaluation data, and bolsters unified coordination among responsible agencies.
Additionally, the Intellectual Property Office maintains specialized support for enforcement bodies. Since the directive’s rollout, it has delivered 24 expert opinions and 28 official dispatches supplying industrial property data for case verifications. The Office is also reviewing IP enforcement mechanisms and developing an Inter-agency Coordination Action Program for the 2026-2030 period to maximize functional efficiency.
📌 Distinct Improvements in IP Enforcement
Reports submitted to MOST indicate that enforcement units nationwide detected 3,312 suspected IP infringement cases between May 7 and June 24, 2026. Of these, 2,756 cases were handled administratively, resulting in fines exceeding 31.4 billion VND. The total value of infringing merchandise approached 120 billion VND, with 2,764 organizations and individuals penalized.
On the criminal front, authorities initiated 85 IP-related cases. Courts have accepted 11 cases, and seven have been tried involving eight defendants. Notably, 74 criminal cases involved trademark and geographical indication violations under Article 226 of the Penal Code, while 11 pertained to copyright and related rights under Article 225.
Highlighting an intensified digital crackdown, police initiated the country’s first criminal prosecution for computer software copyright infringement. Authorities also blocked access to 2,102 violating websites, encompassing 534 pirated movie platforms, 218 pirated comic sites, 21 e-commerce sites selling counterfeit goods, and 1,329 illegal football broadcasting streams.
Administratively, trademark and geographical indication violations dominated with 2,712 cases, alongside 31 copyright cases and 13 involving other IP objects. MOST emphasized that these efforts yielded substantial, transformative results. All localities surpassed the requirement to increase prosecuted cases by a minimum of 20% compared to 2025. The national volume of administrative cases during this phase surged 3.1 times higher than the 2025 monthly average, with Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, and Hung Yen recording outstanding figures in June 2026. These results reflect local determination in market control and anti-counterfeiting operations.
Despite these achievements, IP infringement remains complex, utilizing sophisticated tactics across both traditional retail and e-commerce platforms. Counterfeit goods are still openly sold in some traditional markets and commercial centers. Inter-agency coordination remains loose in certain areas; data sharing for investigations is delayed, and technological application for monitoring digital violations is limited. Furthermore, the Penal Code lacks comprehensive provisions for certain IP violations, and penalties lack sufficient deterrence. The absence of a standardized, interconnected national IP enforcement database also complicates data consolidation.
📌 Targeting Copyright and Related Rights Infringements in the Digital Environment
To sustain momentum, ministries and localities will aggressively enforce Directive No. 38/CD-TTg and Notice No. 287/TB-VPCP under the principle of “no stopping, no resting, no off-limits zones, and no exceptions.”
MOST proposed a targeted crackdown on digital copyright infringement, intensified inspections of enterprise software compliance, stricter border controls on imports and exports, and proactive customs suspensions for goods showing clear signs of IP forgery.
Concurrently, agencies must review and standardize reporting data to ensure consistency between central and local reports, particularly concerning data processed by customs and police forces. MOST also recommended amplifying public communication regarding the outcomes of Directive No. 38/CD-TTg to elevate public and corporate awareness of IP respect, thereby fostering societal consensus in protecting intellectual property.
Source: www.baochinhphu.vn
