Intellectual property: A driving force for enhancing competitiveness.

Protecting intellectual property

Vietnam Science and Technology Corporation (Busadco), established in 2007, specializes in researching and developing science and technology products and services in the fields of integrated urban and rural infrastructure development; environmental protection; disaster prevention and response to climate change.

The scientific and technological project of the embankment protecting Vo Thi Sau Lake (Vung Tau City) by BUSADCO Company has been registered as a patent and industrial design.

By March 2025, Busadco had researched and developed 101 science and technology products, which were certified by the Department of Science and Technology of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. These products have been practically applied and commercialized, achieving high efficiency. Currently, the company's products are widely used in 52 out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide, with 19 provinces having issued policies allowing the application of the products locally. The company's average annual revenue reaches nearly 400 billion VND, of which revenue from science and technology activities accounts for approximately 75%.

Busadco has signed more than 2,200 domestic and international contracts to apply science and technology products to the fields of disaster prevention and climate change adaptation (such as prefabricated embankments for protecting riverbanks, lakes and sea dikes); technical infrastructure (underground urban technical infrastructure trenches, rainwater collection and odor control manholes, irrigation canal products, etc.); environmental protection (environmentally friendly septic tanks, urban drainage dredging winches); prefabricated houses made of non-metallic fiber-reinforced concrete, etc.

Mr. Hoang Duc Thao, General Director of Busadco, said: "As a science and technology enterprise, most of the company's products are formed from technological innovations, industrial designs, new models, and useful solutions aimed at improving productivity and product quality. This is our competitive advantage, so the company pays special attention to registering and protecting intellectual property to prevent design theft, counterfeit goods, and contract losses..."

To date, Busadco's products have been granted 88 patents and utility model certificates by the Intellectual Property Office; 242 industrial design certificates and 126 pending patent decisions.

Enhancing competitiveness

According to the Department of Science and Technology, in recent years, provincial leaders have consistently identified intellectual property as the key to enhancing competitiveness, attracting high-quality investment, and strongly activating the spirit of innovation throughout society.

Honey products from Kim Truc Plus Company (Phu My Town) have received significant support from the startup policies of the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Industry and Trade of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

Kim Truc Plus Company's honey products (Phu My Town) have received significant support from the startup policies of the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Industry and Trade of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province to develop their brand.

The province has been implementing many major policies and initiatives on innovation, digital transformation, and science and technology development. Among these, building a culture of intellectual property is identified as a fundamental solution, contributing to the formation of a synchronized, interconnected, and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

The Provincial People's Committee and People's Council have issued many programs and policies to support the development of intellectual property, such as: the Intellectual Property Strategy to 2030; the Intellectual Property Development Program for the period 2022-2025 and orientation to 2030; the Plan for implementing the Science and Technology Development and Innovation Strategy to 2030; resolutions supporting individuals and businesses in registering patents, industrial designs, trademarks, and new plant varieties; improving productivity and product quality; supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in innovative startups...

The synchronized implementation of support policies has significantly contributed to promoting the establishment and protection of intellectual property rights for organizations, individuals, and businesses. Support for establishing intellectual property rights has been intensified, with the number of applications and protection certificates increasing steadily every year.

Specifically, in 2024, the province recorded 409 intellectual property applications (including 15 patent applications, 8 utility model applications, 26 industrial design applications, and 360 trademark applications), an increase of 58.8% compared to the annual average of 255 applications/year during the 2018–2022 period.

In 2024, the province was also ranked 4th out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide by the Ministry of Science and Technology in the PII index (Local Innovation Index), an increase of 3 positions compared to 2023.

However, according to Mr. Nguyen Ky, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, current development is still mainly focused on trademarks, while intellectual property assets with high technological content such as inventions, utility models, and commercialization potential remain modest.

Currently, the province only receives about 15-20 patent and utility model applications each year. Although this number has increased compared to the past, it is still not commensurate with the potential and development direction in the field of intellectual property and innovation that the province is aiming for.

Text and photos: NGOC MINH

Source: https://baobariavungtau.com.vn/kinh-te/202504/so-huu-tri-tue-dong-luc-nang-cao-nang-luc-canh-tranh-1040961/