Intellectual property – engine for Vietnam’s drive towards prosperity
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Delegates visit an exhibition of innovative products at Thuy Loi University on the World Intellectual Property Day. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – In𒊎tellectual property (IP) has become a vital catalyst for science - technology and innovation, poised to drive Vietnam’s transformation into a high-income nation with a modern industrial base by 2045, under the Polꦛitburo’s Resolution No.57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
However, Nguyen Trung Chinh, Chairman of CMC Corporation, one of the leading tech companies in Vietnam, said the country's enforcement of IP rights remains inadequate, highlighting when inventions and innovations could be easily copied, no one wants to engage in research and development.
Hanoi has made notable strides in the area, leading the nation in IP registrations. However, challenges persist in developing brands and expanding markets for local specialty products.
Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung admitted that Vietnam’s current IP infrastructure and public awareness fall short of the requirements of an innovation-led economy. Many businesses and individuals still do not fully understand the importance of IP in protecting creativity and driving competition. Besides, the casual acceptance of IP violations and the widespread use of counterfeit goods remain formidable challenges.
While Vietnam boasts a large volume of registered patents, the commercialisation rate hovers at a dismal 0.1%, far below the global average of 5% and 10% achieved by developed nations. This means that IP is treated as a formality rather than a strategic asset.
Hung highlighted gaps in Vietnam’s IP ecosystem, from weak information and valuation systems to a shortage of professional IP services. Very few universities offer specialised IP programmes, and there’s a dearth of skilled patent and trademark examiners, he pointed out.
The minister stated that Vietnam must transform research results into tradeable assets to create a market for science – technology and innovation, he said, emphasising that the most important transition for IP is the shift from rights protection to the commercialisation and market development of research results.
Director of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam Luu Hoang Long said his agency is working closely with experts and competent ministries and sectors to organise programmes raising public awareness of IP, helping them have a better insight into their rights and obligations in IP protection.
Looking ahead, the office will complete policies and mechanisms to expand support for the commercialisation and protection of intellectual assets, he added./.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh highlighted the vital role of the Vietnamese intellectual diaspora in national development. He proposed a strategy for training financial professionals, including sending them to Luxembourg for study, to contribute to the development of key financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
The Government has issued a resolution outlining its action programme to continue building and elevating the role of intellectual workforce for national rapid and sustainable development in the new era.
Vietnamese businesses need to proactively apply science and technology, as well as intellectual property as a lever in their development strategy to promote production in a green and environmentally friendly direction, said Luu Hoang Long, Director of the Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
