The short answer
Under the Vietnamese Law on Intellectual Property (Law No. 50/2005/QH11, amended in 2009, 2019 and 2022, with further changes in 2025), a trademark registration is valid for ten years from the filing date and can be renewed for consecutive ten-year terms. A mark that has not been used for five consecutive years without justification can be cancelled at a third party's request. Vietnam uses a first-to-file system, so we file early and check the current article numbering after each amendment.
Trademark deadlines in Vietnam at a glance
These rules come from the Law on Intellectual Property (Law No. 50/2005/QH11 of 29 November 2005), in the English text on WIPO Lex, as amended by Laws 36/2009, 42/2019 and 07/2022. The article numbering and some details were changed by the 2022 amendment (for example Articles 95 and 96) and by later amendments in 2025, which we have not read in full. We confirm the current text with IP Vietnam before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | Ten years from the filing date, renewable for consecutive terms (Article 93). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date: the registration certificate of a mark is valid from the issuing date until the end of ten years from the filing date (Article 93). |
| When can I renew? | The owner files a renewal request with the prescribed fee for a further ten years. The request is normally made in the six months before expiry. We confirm the window and fee with IP Vietnam before advising. |
| Is there a grace period? | A late renewal period with a surcharge is available under the Law and the implementing rules. We confirm the length with IP Vietnam before advising. |
| Opposition period | Vietnam has no formal pre-grant opposition. Third parties can file observations on a published application, and a grant can later be challenged by an invalidation request. We confirm the current procedure with IP Vietnam. |
| Reply to an office action | IP Vietnam publishes the application, carries out the substantive examination and issues an office action, to which the applicant replies within the set time. Decisions can be appealed. |
| Priority claim | Priority under the Paris Convention is recognised for six months from the first filing, and we confirm the filing steps when we file. |
| Non-use | A trademark registration is cancelled at the request of a third party if the mark has not been used by its owner or a licensee, without justifiable reason, for five consecutive years before the request. Owners must use marks continuously. The 2022 amendment rewrote Articles 95 and 96, so we confirm the current wording (Articles 95 and 96). |
| Assignment | A mark can be assigned or licensed, with conditions in the Law, and the contract is registered with IP Vietnam. We confirm the formalities and fees. |
Who can register a trademark in Vietnam
Any organisation or individual can apply for a trademark. Vietnam applies a first-to-file rule, so an early filing is important.
Representation. Foreign applicants file through a Vietnamese IP representative registered with the competent authority. We arrange this.
Trademark registration process in Vietnam
Search
- Search the the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam), through a Vietnamese IP representative.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- After publication, third parties can submit observations to IP Vietnam, and a registered mark can be challenged by an invalidation request.
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Vietnam trademark validity and renewal
- A registration is valid for ten years from the filing date.
- Renew for consecutive ten-year terms.
- Use the mark continuously in Vietnam to avoid cancellation.
- Check the 2022 and 2025 amendments for changes.
Diarise ten years from the filing date and confirm the renewal window with IP Vietnam.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Vietnamese trademark
2022 amendment
Articles 95 and 96
Cancellation and invalidation provisions were rewritten, including a bad faith ground.
Madrid
International
Rules for the Madrid system were added to Article 93.
Licence
Registered
Licences are registered with IP Vietnam.
Representatives
Local
Foreign applicants use a Vietnamese representative.
Non-use and cancellation of a Vietnamese trademark
A registration can be cancelled on a third party's request for five consecutive years of non-use without justification, and invalidated on the grounds in the Law, including bad faith after the 2022 amendment (Articles 95 and 96).
Keep dated proof of use in Vietnam: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Vietnam
Search the IP Vietnam national database (WIPO Pearl and the Official Gazette) for the filing, publication, registration and renewal dates.
Sources used
- Law on Intellectual Property (Law No. 50/2005/QH11), Viet Nam, English text on WIPO Lex: Articles 93, 95 and 96, as amended in 2009, 2019 and 2022.
- IP Vietnam for the current text, fees and forms.
Vietnam trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Vietnam, and from when?
Ten years from the filing date, renewable for consecutive terms (Article 93). It counts from the filing date (Article 93).
When should I renew a Vietnamese trademark, and is there a grace period?
The owner files a renewal request with the prescribed fee for a further ten years. The request is normally made in the six months before expiry. We confirm the window and fee with IP Vietnam before advising.
What is the opposition period in Vietnam?
Vietnam has no formal pre-grant opposition. Third parties can file observations on a published application, and a grant can later be challenged by an invalidation request. We confirm the current procedure with IP Vietnam.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Vietnam?
The official fee is set by the the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Vietnam?
Yes. A foreign company can register a mark in Vietnam, normally through a Vietnamese IP representative. We arrange this and manage the first-to-file risk.
Can I assign a Vietnamese trademark?
A mark can be assigned or licensed, with conditions in the Law, and the contract is registered with IP Vietnam. We confirm the formalities and fees.
Can a Vietnamese trademark be cancelled for non-use?
A trademark registration is cancelled at the request of a third party if the mark has not been used by its owner or a licensee, without justifiable reason, for five consecutive years before the request. Owners must use marks continuously. The 2022 amendment rewrote Articles 95 and 96, so we confirm the current wording (Articles 95 and 96).
How can I check the status of a Vietnamese trademark?
Use the the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority under the Paris Convention is recognised for six months from the first filing, and we confirm the filing steps when we file.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Vietnam
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Vietnamese deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
