Based on data collected from the survey “Current Situation and Operations of Startups in Vietnam”, the majority of startups have recognized and highly valued the importance of intellectual property (IP) protection. The findings offer a comprehensive overview of how intellectual property is increasingly seen as a crucial asset within the startup community.
The survey was conducted by the National Program 844 Office (Ministry of Science and Technology), in collaboration with the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, Startup Vietnam Foundation, BambuUP Open Innovation Platform, and the Management and Sustainable Development Institute – MSD United Way Vietnam.
Conducted over the first eight months of 2023, the survey collected nearly 200 valid responses from innovative startups. Its purpose was to provide strategic insights into the health of key actors in Vietnam’s innovation-driven startup ecosystem. These insights were delivered to the Executive Committee of Program 844, relevant government authorities, and the broader startup community to support effective policymaking and ecosystem development. Among the most notable findings was the growing awareness of intellectual property rights among Vietnamese startups.
Intellectual Property: A Critical Issue for Startups in Vietnam’s Innovation Ecosystem
To date, Vietnam is home to nearly 3,800 innovation-driven startups. Several sectors, including EdTech, FinTech, and even more traditional industries like tourism and real estate, have witnessed remarkable growth driven by startup activity.
In this context, intellectual property is considered a high-value asset that plays an increasingly vital role in a startup’s success. Intellectual property can include trade names, trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, among others.
According to the survey data, 63% of startups believe that IP protection should be a top priority from the early stages of business development. This increased attention can be attributed to the growing number of specialized advisory sessions and workshops held nationwide, which highlight the strategic advantages of IP registration—particularly in safeguarding ideas, increasing company valuation, and creating competitive advantage.
Expert Insights and Real-World Cases: IP as a Business Strategy
According to Mr. Phan Ngan Son, Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, IP plays a pivotal role not only in national economic development but also in the growth trajectory of innovative startups. For example, in the U.S., intangible assets (including IP) accounted for only about 20% of corporate value a few decades ago. By 2005, this figure had risen to 80%, and by 2015, it reached 87%.
A compelling case is that of CocoNut, a U.S.-based online gaming startup. Unlike many early-stage companies, CocoNut registered its IP even while its product was still in concept form. Their trademarked game “ScaryCats” experienced steady annual sales growth and later attracted interest from a Hollywood studio seeking licensing rights. Additionally, while researching a new brand name, “Super Granny,” CocoNut discovered a trademark conflict with another company, DoNut, which had registered “Granny 3D.” Open communication allowed both parties to reach a mutual agreement, avoiding disputes due to their non-competing product lines.
In Vietnam, Pham Minh Cong, founder of SE Technology JSC and third prize winner in the 2017 National Student Startup Contest, shared his early mistake of publicly promoting his product without first securing IP rights. Fortunately, no one registered his product in the interim, and he was able to finalize his IP protection just in time.
Another recent example involves Ant Group, a media firm managing over 500 YouTube channels. According to Mr. Trinh Quoc Khanh, the company faced copyright disputes when original music content they produced was preemptively registered by a third party. YouTube required legal confirmation from a recognized IP entity in Vietnam before the matter could be resolved, illustrating the urgent need for proper IP documentation in international digital content markets.
Protecting Intellectual Property from Day One
In recent years, the Vietnamese government has introduced several policy reforms aimed at strengthening the legal framework for intellectual property. Notably, Decision No. 2205/QD-TTg approved the National Intellectual Property Development Program through 2030. The 2021–2030 roadmap reflects a strategic shift in content and implementation compared to the previous decade, aligning with commitments under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
As trademarks remain one of the most frequently infringed IP assets—particularly in cross-border e-commerce and the digital space—it is crucial for Vietnamese startups to develop proactive IP registration strategies not only domestically but also in key international markets.
Survey conducted by:
National Program 844 Office – Ministry of Science and Technology,
in collaboration with the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization, Startup Vietnam Foundation, BambuUP, MSD Vietnam, and MSD United Way Vietnam.
For inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Duong Ngoc Anh – Communications Lead, National Program 844 Office
Email: anhdn@most.gov.vn
Phone: +84 966 909 903
