Proactively protecting intellectual property for higher value
Proactively establishing and protecting intellectual property rights helps Hai Phong businesses protect their brands, increase value and enhance product competitiveness.
Intellectual property becomes a competitive advantage
Khanh Tho Production - Trading - Services Co., Ltd., based in Tan Hung Ward, is one of the pioneers in producing instant noodles from climbing perch, using Japanese processing technology.
The company currently has 15 products registered for protection in Vietnam. According to a company representative, establishing intellectual property rights helps reduce the risk of counterfeiting and imitation while creating a basis for pursuing official export markets.
As science and technology continue to develop, intellectual property is playing an increasingly important role in production and business. Through the Intellectual Property Development Support Program for 2021–2025, the city supported 25 key projects, turning locally distinctive products into intellectual property protected by law.
In 2025 alone, the Department of Science and Technology implemented seven projects to support distinctive products in localities, including An Truong dragon fruit, Bat Trang lychee, Ky Son twisted glutinous rice, An Duong fresh flowers, An Phong guava, Vinh Thinh chrysanthemum tea and An Tho fermented pork.
Over the past time, the Department of Science and Technology has also carried out various activities to support enterprises, from nurturing ideas and searching information to developing intellectual property and protecting ownership rights. To date, the department has provided guidance on filing about 117 patent and utility solution applications and assisted 63 organizations in completing applications to establish industrial property rights.
In particular, the city has put an Intellectual Property Platform into operation, making it easier for individuals, businesses and organizations to search for information. To date, the platform has served 189 organizations and individuals.
According to Nguyen Cao Thang, Director of the Department of Science and Technology, establishing protection rights provides a basis for managing the use of product names and trademarks and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of rights holders, producers and businesses. However, protection certificates need to be accompanied by management organizations to oversee their use and maintain product quality.
Proactively protecting intellectual property to increase product value
Developing intellectual property and proactively registering protection in international markets have become important tasks for Hai Phong products and goods to enhance their competitiveness in the global market.
Under the Intellectual Property Development Support Program for 2026 – 2030, the city is focusing on the registration, management and development of intellectual property after protection is established. In implementing support measures, the city pays attention to identifying management organizations, registration holders and production areas; completing regulations on use; guiding eligible members and establishments in joining the system; and developing product identification and traceability tools.
Recently, the Municipal People's Committee has issued regulations on coordination in intellectual property rights enforcement, which took effect on October 1. The regulations set out the principles, methods, contents and responsibilities for coordination among relevant agencies in enforcing intellectual property rights.
Completing the coordination mechanism will help improve the effectiveness of detecting, inspecting and handling intellectual property rights violations, while providing an additional basis for businesses and residents to establish and protect rights to intellectual property assets, particularly in online commerce.
From a business perspective, Pham Van Hat, Director of Hat Invention Co., Ltd., said intellectual property protection is not something that should only be addressed when a dispute arises; rather, it needs to be considered from the moment an idea, product or brand is developed.
Businesses need to proactively conduct searches before registration, establish rights to valuable assets, develop intellectual property management procedures and study the regulations of each market if they plan to export.
When local products are protected, their value lies not only in tangible goods but also in their brands, reputation, origin, quality and rights to exploit intellectual property. These are also resources for enhancing competitiveness, promoting the commercialization of creative results, expanding markets and creating a foundation for Hai Phong businesses to develop sustainably in the digital era.
NGUYEN THAO