The government on May 5 released a dispatch on focusing on directing the drastic implementation of measures to combat, prevent, and handle acts infringing intellectual property rights.

The dispatch is sent to the chief justice of the Supreme People’s Court; the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy; ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies; secretaries of provincial and municipal Party committees, and chairpersons of people’s committees of provinces and centrally governed cities; and the chief of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee against Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeit Goods.

According to the dispatch, in recent years, efforts to combat, prevent, and address infringements of intellectual property (IP) rights have recorded notable progress. Competent authorities have carried out synchronised and effective measures, detecting and handling numerous cases, thereby contributing to curbing violations.

“However, IP infringement remains complex in several sectors and localities, significantly affecting the investment and business climate, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, enterprises, and related organisations,” said Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung who signed the dispatch.

In order to create a strong shift and enhance the substantive effectiveness of IP enforcement - thereby fostering a transparent and healthy investment climate and strengthening national credibility in international integration, the prime minister requires ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal people’s committees, and requests secretaries of Party committees at all levels, to strictly, synchronously, and decisively implement relevant legal regulations, the government’s Resolution No.397/NQ-CP dated December 5, 2025, and the PM’s Directive No.02/CT-TTg dated January 30 on strengthening IP enforcement.

A key priority must be placed on a nationwide crackdown with no exceptions. Specifically, from May 7-30, authorities are to launch an intensive nationwide campaign, mobilising resources to urgently deployed measures against IP infringements. Violations must be handled strictly in accordance with the law, under the principle of “no forbidden zones, no exceptions”.

The Ministry of Public Security is tasked with leading investigations into serious IP infringement cases, including copyright, related rights, trademarks, and geographical indications. Particular focus must be placed on dismantling high-traffic websites engaged in online copyright violations, especially those distributing pirated films, music, mobile games, and television programmes in Vietnamese and foreign languages.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defence is assigned to direct border guards, coast guard forces, and relevant units to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Public Security and local authorities in enforcing anti-infringement measures.

Judicial bodies, including the Supreme People’s Procuracy and Supreme People’s Court, are required to accelerate prosecution and adjudication of IP cases, ensuring strict, deterrent, and lawful rulings, with emphasis on handling exemplary cases.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism must immediately conduct inspections on compliance with software copyright regulations in enterprises, as well as copyright enforcement for films, music, television programmes, and online games. Authorities are required to increase the number of handled cases by at least 20 per cent compared to May 2025, while strengthening public awareness campaigns through media channels.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with provincial and municipal authorities, has to direct market surveillance forces to intensify inspections and strictly address violations, particularly counterfeit trademark goods, with a similar 20 per cent increase target.

The Ministry of Finance is tasked with instructing customs authorities to tighten inspection of import-export goods, proactively suspending clearance for shipments with clear signs of IP infringement, again aiming for a minimum 20 per cent rise in enforcement actions.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requested to coordinate with relevant agencies to promptly provide international partners with comprehensive updates on Vietnam’s IP enforcement efforts.

All ministries and localities are required to carry out daily rapid reporting on major and complex cases, submitting updates to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation and reporting to the prime minister on a weekly basis or upon request. A final report covering results up to May 30 must be submitted by May 31.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Science and Technology is asked to take the lead in implementing assigned tasks under Official Dispatch No.1860/VPCP-KTTH dated May 1, providing expert opinions and assessment conclusions to support enforcement of industrial property rights.

Following the campaign period, ministries, agencies, and localities are required to review and evaluate outcomes, and continue enhancing enforcement measures to ensure IP protection becomes a regular, systematic, and effective task nationwide.

The National Steering Committee against Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeit Goods is tasked with intensifying inter-agency coordination, supervision, and guidance, promptly addressing bottlenecks and handling major, complex cases within its authority.

At the local level, Party committee secretaries have to mobilise the entire political system to actively engage in IP enforcement. Chairpersons of provincial and municipal people’s committees must urgently establish inter-agency task forces led by themselves, ensuring close coordination among local authorities and effective implementation of assigned duties, while promptly reporting issues beyond their competence.

The government’s fresh move demonstrates its strong determination to deliver a tangible shift in IP enforcement, aligning Vietnam’s regulatory framework with international standards and reinforcing investor confidence. With a coordinated, high-intensity approach and clear accountability across agencies, the campaign is expected to mark a critical step towards safeguarding innovation, protecting legitimate rights, and sustaining a fair business environment.