Launching a new crackdown to tighten the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

On the morning of June 2nd, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung chaired the National Conference to review the implementation of Directive No. 38/CD-TTg dated May 5th, 2026, from the Government on focusing on decisively implementing solutions to combat, prevent, and handle acts of intellectual property infringement. The conference was held online, connecting central ministries and agencies with 34 provinces and cities.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong reports at the conference. PHOTO: QUANG HUY

Attending from the Ho Chi Minh City location were Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Mr. Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology; and representatives from various departments and agencies.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong reports at the conference. PHOTO: QUANG HUY

As one of the four localities nationwide achieving high results in handling intellectual property (IP) infringement, on behalf of the Ho Chi Minh City leadership, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong reported to the Deputy Prime Minister that, in implementing and deploying Prime Minister's Directive No. 38/CD-TTg dated May 5, 2026, on strengthening the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and IP infringement, the city detected and handled 293 cases of violations related to counterfeit goods, goods infringing IP rights, and other violations of IP law in May (an increase of 1,465% compared to the same period in 2025). Of these, 231 cases were handled administratively, with a total fine of nearly 3 billion VND; and 3 cases with signs of criminal activity were transferred to the investigative agency for consideration and handling according to the law.

Furthermore, the protection of copyright and related rights has seen significant progress, with the detection and handling of 20 copyright infringement cases (a 2,000% increase compared to the same period in 2025). This demonstrates that the scope of intellectual property rights enforcement has expanded from traditional industrial property infringements to areas where violations are increasingly occurring in the digital environment and the creative economy .

According to Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong, in addition to the initial results achieved, Ho Chi Minh City also recognizes that the fight against counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringement in the city is still facing many new difficulties and challenges. These include increasingly sophisticated methods and tactics of infringement in the digital environment. Infringers are shifting strongly towards operating on e-commerce platforms, social networks, and cross-border digital platforms...

Delegates attending the conference at the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee's meeting point. (Photo: Quang Huy)

To further implement Official Dispatch No. 38, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong proposed to the Government and central ministries and agencies several points, including: the central government should soon build and operate a national shared database system to serve law enforcement; perfect policies and sanctions for handling the business of counterfeit goods and goods infringing intellectual property rights in the rapidly developing digital environment, while some current regulations have not kept pace with the speed and methods of new violations; and promptly finalize the mechanism of responsibility of e-commerce platforms in the prevention and control of counterfeit goods and intellectual property infringement...

The conference was held online, connecting to central government ministries and 34 provinces and cities nationwide. (Photo: Quang Huy)

After listening to reports from ministries, departments, and localities on the advantages, difficulties, and proposed solutions for implementation in the coming period, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung highly appreciated the efforts of ministries, departments, and localities in implementing Prime Minister's Directive No. 38/CD-TTg. He noted that in just over three weeks of the intensified campaign, functional forces nationwide detected more than 2,000 cases with signs of violations, handled 1,616 cases administratively, and strengthened the application of criminal proceedings in many serious cases related to intellectual property infringement. These are very positive initial results, demonstrating high political determination, the synchronized involvement of all levels and sectors, and the close coordination among law enforcement agencies.

In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister frankly pointed out that the results achieved are only the initial steps. Compared to the requirements set forth, the work of protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights still has many shortcomings and limitations that need to be addressed. The Deputy Prime Minister noted: “The recent intensive campaign was an important rehearsal for ministries, sectors, and localities to better identify difficulties and obstacles, thereby continuing to improve the institutional framework, strengthen enforcement capacity, and build a more effective coordination mechanism in the future. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities are required to continue to thoroughly understand and strictly implement Directive No. 02/CT-TTg dated January 30, 2026, on strengthening the enforcement of intellectual property rights and Official Dispatch No. 38.”

From now until the end of the year, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that ministries, sectors, and localities continue to launch a new intensive campaign, comprehensively review the situation, and focus on more decisively combating acts of intellectual property rights infringement. They should develop or review and supplement specific action plans, clearly assigning responsibilities, tasks, timelines, and expected outcomes. The entire system should strive to increase the number of detected and processed intellectual property violations by at least 20% compared to 2025 across all stages, from inspection and administrative handling to investigation, prosecution, and criminal trial.

"This is not only a domestic requirement but also a basis for Vietnam to demonstrate to international partners its determination and tangible effectiveness in protecting intellectual property rights," Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung emphasized.

QUANG HUY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/mo-dot-cao-diem-moi-siet-chat-thuc-thi-quyen-so-huu-tri-tue-post855552.html