Trademark Registration in Vietnam
Step 1: Filing the Trademark Application

Eligibility: Any individual or entity can apply. Foreign applicants must file through a local trademark agent.

Required Documents:

  • Applicant Information: Full name, address, and nationality.
  • Trademark Specimen: A clear representation of the mark.
  • List of Goods/Services under the Nice Classification.
  • Priority Document (if applicable).
  • Power of Attorney (POA).

Language Requirement: All documents must be in Vietnamese. Foreign documents require translations.

Step 2: Formality Examination

– IP Vietnam examines compliance with formal requirements.

– Typically completed within one to two months from filing.

Step 3: Publication for Opposition

– The application is published in the Industrial Property Gazette within two months from acceptance.

– Third parties may file oppositions within five months from publication.

Step 4: Substantive Examination

– IP Vietnam assesses distinctiveness and conflicts with prior trademarks.

– Typically takes 9–12 months. Office Actions may be issued for objections.

Step 5: Registration and Maintenance

– If no objections remain, a Certificate of Registration is issued.

– Valid for 10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely every 10 years.

Additional Notes
  • First-to-File System: Early registration is crucial.
  • Use Requirement: Non-use for five years may lead to cancellation.
  • International Registration: Trademarks can also be protected via the Madrid System.