Elevating your product through intellectual property.

Recognizing intellectual property (IP) as a crucial solution to enhance product value, increase competitiveness, and establish local brands, Thanh Hoa province has intensified efforts to protect, manage, and develop intellectual property assets for many distinctive products, contributing to sustainable economic development and improving the position of Thanh Hoa goods in the market.

Bao Ginseng - a signature product of Bien Thuong commune - is currently undergoing the process of establishing and developing its geographical indication.

Elevating local specialties

Along with promoting the development of OCOP products and local specialties, the province has focused on supporting organizations and individuals in building brands, registering trademarks and geographical indications for many distinctive products. Intellectual property activities are increasingly playing an important role in enhancing the value of goods, expanding consumer markets, and increasing the competitiveness of local products. Among these, the Bao ginseng product from Bien Thuong commune and Co Lung duck from Ba Thuoc district stand out. This is considered an important step to enhance the economic value of local agricultural products, while creating a foundation for sustainable development in specialty production areas.

In early 2026, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 75/QD-UBND allowing the People's Committee of Bien Thuong commune to use the place name "Bao" to register and manage the geographical indication for the province's ginseng product.

Ginseng Bao, traditionally known to the people of the mountainous region of Thanh Hoa, is a highly valuable medicinal herb that thrives in unique climatic and soil conditions. However, in the past, consumption was mainly small-scale, and a clear brand was not established, so its economic value did not match its potential. With the development of a geographical indication, the product's production process, traceability, and quality control have been gradually standardized.

Along with Bao ginseng, Co Lung - Ba Thuoc duck products continue to affirm their value through being granted the right to manage the geographical indication "Co Lung - Ba Thuoc". This is a famous native duck breed known for its delicious, firm meat, mainly raised in the lake and stream areas of the former Ba Thuoc district.

Over the years, Co Lung duck has become a popular specialty product in the market. However, due to the lack of consistent brand management, there have been instances of counterfeit products or the use of misleading names. Establishing and managing geographical indications helps control the breeding process, ensure product quality, and protect the reputation of local breeders.

It is evident that focusing on building and protecting intellectual property rights for local products is creating momentum to promote production towards a commodity-oriented approach, improving quality and competitiveness. Not only are OCOP products and traditional specialties receiving attention in brand building, but many science and technology (S&T) enterprises in the province are also increasingly considering intellectual property as a strategic element in their development process.

Currently, the province has 38 science and technology organizations, including 31 science and technology enterprises. Most enterprises recognize that growth must be based on innovation, scientific research, and the effective exploitation of intellectual property. Owning trademarks, inventions, and industrial designs not only helps businesses protect their products but also enhances their market position.

Creating incentives for innovation.

To promote intellectual property activities, the Department of Science and Technology has implemented a comprehensive set of solutions to support organizations and individuals in establishing and exploiting intellectual property. In 2025, the relevant agency guided 12 organizations and individuals on intellectual property rights; organized numerous training courses for producers and local officials related to intellectual property protection procedures. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the province guided 30 organizations and individuals in registering trademarks and transferring trademark usage rights; and 90 organizations and individuals registered for intellectual property protection.

Along with awareness campaigns and knowledge dissemination, the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) has also been strengthened to curb trademark infringement, counterfeit goods, and imitation products. Protecting IPR not only helps businesses confidently invest in technological innovation but also contributes to building a healthy competitive environment.

However, intellectual property activities in the province still face many difficulties. The procedures for registering inventions and protecting intellectual property rights are complex; the examination time is lengthy; and the cost of establishing rights is relatively high. Meanwhile, the intellectual property management capacity in some businesses is limited, and the commercialization of inventions has not achieved the expected results. Many products, even after being granted protection certificates, have not yet been able to exploit their practical value in production and business activities.

Furthermore, the valuation of intellectual property assets still faces many obstacles due to a lack of appropriate mechanisms and supporting tools. This prevents intellectual property assets from truly becoming a significant financial resource in the investment and production activities of businesses.

To ensure that intellectual property activities truly become a driving force for socio-economic development, in the coming period, relevant departments and agencies will continue to promote awareness among businesses and the public about the role of intellectual property; support entities in completing trademark and geographical indication protection dossiers; and strengthen linkages between scientific research and businesses to accelerate the commercialization of products. Along with this, mechanisms will be developed to support more effective valuation and exploitation of intellectual property, creating conditions for inventions, brands, and distinctive local products to maximize their value. When a comprehensive intellectual property ecosystem is formed, each protected product will not only be an asset of the business but also become an important resource contributing to the economic development of the province.

Text and photos: Tran Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nang-tam-san-pham-bang-so-huu-tri-tue-288998.htm