Vietnam launches nationwide campaign to crack down on intellectual property infringement

An official dispatch (No. 38/CD-TTg) was signed by  deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung on May 5, 2026 to intensify  measures  against intellectual property infringement.

The dispatch was sent to the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies, Party secretaries and chairpersons of provincial and city People’s Committees, and the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee Against Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeit Goods.

Though   the dispatch commends  efforts to combat intellectual property infringement  and the synchronized, effective measures 

of the competent authorities, it points out that infringement remains complex across several sectors and regions.  This  significantly affects   the investment and business environment, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, businesses, and related organizations.

To drive transformative change  in the enforcement   of intellectual property legislation, contribute to a transparent and healthy business environment and enhance  Vietnam’s international reputation, the Prime Minister requested that ministries, agencies and local authorities   strictly and effectively  adhere to   relevant laws, Government Resolution No. 397/NQ-CP of  December 5, 2025 and Directive No. 02/CT-TTg dated January 30, 2026 on strengthening intellectual property enforcement.

1. A nationwide campaign will be carried out from May 7 to May 30, 2026, during which competent  forces  will pool resources and  take urgent measures to combat, prevent, and handle intellectual property infringements. Offenders will be strictly addressed under the principle of “no exceptions, no limits.”

a) The Ministry of Public Security  is responsible for  coordinating with other  relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute serious cases of copyright, trademark, and geographical indication infringement. Large-scale piracy websites, especially those illegally distributing films, music, mobile games, and television programs in Vietnamese and foreign languages, particularly English, will be dismantled.

b) The Ministry of National Defense will step up border guards, coast guards, and related forces to work  closely with the Ministry of Public Security and local authorities to combat intellectual property violations.

c) The Supreme People’s Procuracy and the Supreme People’s Court are requested to strengthen prosecution and trial activities to ensure the strict and deterrent handling of intellectual property cases, particularly major ones.

d) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism  is requested to immediately inspect  enterprises for  compliance with software copyright regulations, as well as address   issues related to the copyright of films, music, television programs, and video games on digital platforms. The number of cases  handled   must increase by at least 20% compared to May 2025. The media  and press organizations areurged to step up public awareness campaigns on intellectual property protection.

e) The Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with  local authorities, will  be in charge of ensuring that  market surveillance forces  strengthen inspections and strictly handle cases of industrial property infringement and the trade  of counterfeit trademark goods. They must handle at least 20% more cases than they did in  May 2025 .

f) The Ministry of Finance will  be tasked with instructing customs forces to tighten inspections of imported and exported goods and proactively suspend customs procedures when there are clear signs of intellectual property counterfeiting. The number of s  cases  handled  must also increase by at least 20% compared to May 2025.

g) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with relevant ministries to promptly provide information to international partners  of  Vietnam’s efforts  to enforce  intellectual property rights.

h) Ministries and local authorities  must submit daily summary reports on major and complex cases to the Ministry of Science and Technology, which is responsible for compiling them, and weekly reports to the Prime Minister upon request. A final report detailing the  results of enforcement efforts  through May 30, 2026, must be submitted on May 31, 2026.

2. The Ministry of Science and Technology is assigned to urgently carry out  the tasks outlined in Official Letter No. 1860/VPCP-KTTH dated May 1, 2026, including providing professional opinions and assessment conclusions on industrial property infringement cases.

3. After May 30, ministries, agencies, and localgovernments are required to review and assess  the outcomes of enforcement efforts and continue strengthening intellectual property protection nationwide in  a regular, systematic, and focused basis.

4. The National Steering Committee Against Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeit Goods is  responsible for coordinating inter-agency cooperation, strengthening inspections, promptly resolving issues, and directing the handling of major and complex cases.

5. Party secretaries of provinces and cities are requested to strengthen leadership and direction over Party committees and local authorities at all levels, while mobilizing the entire political system to actively   combat, prevent, and handle  acts of intellectual property infringement. Their  efforts must yield tangible progress and concrete results.

Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are required to urgently establish interdisciplinary task forces in their localities, which they will  head directly. These task forces will supervise the coordination and execution of    assigned tasks  by competent authorities in accordance with the law and this Official Dispatch.  They must  promptly report  matters beyond their authority to the relevant bodies  for consideration and handling.