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Nationwide enforcement against intellectual property (IP) violations is scheduled to begin on May 7, 2026. From May 7 to May 30, authorities across the country will run a coordinated campaign to inspect, deter and address acts infringing IP rights under a firm, no-exceptions mandate.
The campaign was issued in Government Decree No. 38/CD-TTg, signed on May 5, 2026 by Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung. The decree directs a broad range of agencies—including the courts, the Procuracy, relevant ministries and provincial authorities—highlighting the high priority of the crackdown.
While IP infringement enforcement has shown progress in recent times, violations persist in some sectors and localities, affecting the business environment and the rights of enterprises and citizens. The nationwide crackdown requires synchronized implementation, focused resources and strict enforcement in line with the law, with a stated approach of “no zones of immunity.”
A key focus is violations in the digital environment, especially copyright-infringing websites with high traffic.
Under the assignment, the Police will lead investigations into serious cases and dismantle websites providing pirated films, music, games and TV programs, including platforms in Vietnamese and foreign languages.
At the border and at sea, the Ministry of National Defense directs border guards and the coast guard to cooperate in inspecting and preventing violative goods.
The court and prosecutorial system are urged to speed up adjudication of typical cases to strengthen deterrence.
For digital content and copyrights, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will check software copyright compliance within enterprises, as well as copyrights for films, music, television and games on the internet.
In the goods market, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and local authorities will tighten checks on counterfeit goods, piracy and trademark violations through market surveillance authorities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance instructs customs to strictly monitor imports and exports, suspend clearance if there are signs of IP violations, and increase case handling.
On external affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide information to international partners on Vietnam’s IP enforcement results.
The decree sets performance targets for May, including:
The reporting mechanism is also tightened. Ministries, agencies and localities must report serious cases promptly on a daily basis, send consolidated reports to the Ministry of Science and Technology, and report to the Prime Minister weekly. The overall campaign’s final report is expected to be completed soon after May 30.
Localities are also required to establish inter-agency task forces chaired by the chairman of the provincial/municipal People’s Committee to coordinate and handle cases on the ground. The National Steering Committee against Smuggling, Fraud and Counterfeit Goods will monitor, urge and handle major cases.
After the peak phase ends on May 30, agencies will review results to maintain regular inspections and enforcement, aiming to avoid a situation where a campaign is launched but not sustained.
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