Vietnam has initiated a major shift in its intellectual property (IP) governance through Decree No. 133/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on July 1, 2025. This reform transfers several IP and technology transfer responsibilities from the national level to provincial People’s Committees, signaling a strategic move toward localized IP administration.

Under Decree 133, provincial authorities are now empowered to handle several IP tasks such as issuing duplicates of registration certificates, recording license agreements, and processing changes to industrial property rights. This decentralization also extends to the approval of technology transfer contracts and oversight of compulsory licensing decisions — functions previously centralized under the national Intellectual Property Office.

The change offers the potential for more responsive and regionally tailored IP services. However, it also introduces complexity. Differences in capacity, legal interpretation, and implementation across provinces may create inconsistencies in IP enforcement and service quality. As of July 1, the national IP Office has officially ceased processing certain procedures now delegated to local governments.

To support this transition, Vietnam has launched a certified electronic document system for IP filings. Still, questions remain regarding the validity of e-documents in certain transactions and whether existing powers of attorney will be recognized by provincial offices.

Set to run until March 2027, this reform period serves as a trial phase for a broader decentralization strategy. For IP owners, agents, and innovators, adapting to this evolving landscape will be essential to ensuring protection and compliance across Vietnam’s growing innovation economy.

Hai Dinh

IP Associate

h.dinh@so-ipr.com

+84 28 73 009 678