Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute Renamed and Restructured: A New Step Forward in the National Intellectual Property System

Hanoi – The Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI), a key unit in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Vietnam, will officially enter a new stage of development with significant adjustments to its name, organizational structure, and mission. According to an announcement from the Ministry of Science and Technology, these changes aim to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the Institute’s role in the national innovation system.

These adjustments are not merely administrative changes but also reflect a strategic direction in consolidating and developing the intellectual property sector in Vietnam. The changes include an official renaming (in Vietnamese), a strategic merger with another important research institute, and a new allocation of functions, tasks, and powers. All these changes will officially take effect from May 9, 2025.¹ The issuance of these decisions on April 9, 2025, and their public announcement on May 8, 2025, demonstrate a preparedness and determination to swiftly implement these crucial adjustments.¹

The “National Intellectual Property Institute”: New Vietnamese Name and Strategic Merger

One of the most notable changes is the renaming of the Institute in Vietnamese. Concurrently, an organizational merger aims to create a more robust institution, better capable of meeting the development requirements of the new era.

A. Renaming and Official Effective Date

According to the decisions of the Minister of Science and Technology, the Viện Khoa học sở hữu trí tuệ(Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute – former Vietnamese name) will officially change its Vietnamese name to Viện Sở hữu trí tuệ quốc gia (National Intellectual Property Institute).¹ This new Vietnamese name will be used and legally effective from May 9, 2025.¹ It is noteworthy that the established English transaction name, Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI), will be retained for this newly restructured entity (as per Article 1, Decision 520/QD-BKHCN).

The addition of “Quốc gia” (National) to the new Vietnamese name is not just a nominal change. In the context of Vietnamese state agencies, this often implies an elevation in status, a more central role, and a broader scope of responsibility nationwide. This suggests that the Viện Sở hữu trí tuệ quốc gia (now operating internationally as VIPRI) is expected to become a leading institution in scientific research and professional activities related to intellectual property, playing a guiding and coordinating role at the national level.

B. Organizational Merger: Combining Research and Technology Exploitation Capabilities

Along with the renaming, a significant structural change is the merger of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute with the Institute for Invention Research and Technology Exploitation to establish the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI).¹ The Institute for Invention Research and Technology Exploitation, whose contact information was previously known via the email address niptech@most.gov.vn, is a unit specializing in patent research and technology application.²

This merger is implemented under Decision No. 519/QD-BKHCN dated April 9, 2025, by the Minister of Science and Technology.¹ This is a strategic move aimed at consolidating and leveraging the combined strengths of two units with complementary advantages. The Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) has historically been known for its in-depth IP research, training, assessment, and valuation of intellectual assets.³Meanwhile, the Institute for Invention Research and Technology Exploitation has strengths in applied patent research and promoting the exploitation and commercialization of technology.

The merger of these two institutes is expected to create a more comprehensive IP institution, capable of more effectively linking scientific research and patent development with the application and exploitation of these achievements in production and business. The objectives of this merger may include optimizing resources and minimizing operational overlap between units, thereby enhancing the nation’s overall capacity to develop and effectively use intellectual assets, contributing practically to socio-economic development.

C. Summary Table of Key Changes

For the convenience of agencies, organizations, and individuals, below is a summary table of the key changes concerning the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute:

New Functions, Tasks, and Powers: Development Orientation of the National Intellectual Property Institute (VIPRI)

All regulations regarding the functions, tasks, powers, and detailed organizational structure of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) after the merger are clearly stated in Decision No. 520/QD-BKHCN dated April 9, 2025, by the Minister of Science and Technology.¹ This is the most crucial legal document defining the Institute’s role and scope of activities in the new phase.

Compared to the previous functions and tasks of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI), which focused on research, training, assessment, valuation, and legal consultation on intellectual property ³, and the Institute for Invention Research and Technology Exploitation, with its strengths in applied research and technology commercialization, Decision 520/QD-BKHCN outlines significant new and expanded points for the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) post-merger.

One of the most prominent new aspects is the emphasis on the function of “exploitation and development of intellectual assets, connecting the activities of exploiting and developing intellectual assets with technology transfer, application, and development to serve socio-economic development” (Article 1, Clause 1 of Decision 520/QD-BKHCN). This clearly demonstrates the goal of integrating the capabilities of the two former institutes, not only stopping at the creation and protection of intellectual assets but also promoting the practical application of intellectual assets to generate added value.

The task of “Researching and exploiting intellectual property information” (Article 2, Clause 4 of Decision 520/QD-BKHCN) is very detailed, indicating a strong investment and expansion compared to before. New or enhanced activities include:

• In-depth analysis of patent information by industry and market, patent mapping, and research on strategic technology development trends.
• Developing models and mechanisms to support universities, research institutes, and enterprises in commercializing and exploiting patents.
• Researching technology identification, know-how from patents, and implementing design research, reverse engineering to improve, decode, master, and transfer technology.
• Organizing activities to connect investors with patent owners and providing consultation on technology transfer and promotion of potential patents.

The field of “Scientific research on intellectual property and intellectual assets” is also supplemented with “exploitation of technology from patents, layout designs of semiconductor integrated circuits” (Article 2, Clause 5 of Decision 520/QD-BKHCN), reflecting the integration of expertise from the Institute for Invention Research and Technology Exploitation.

Overall, Decision 520/QD-BKHCN not only consolidates old tasks but also creates a new, more comprehensive strategic direction for the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI). The new Institute will serve as a stronger connecting hub between research, intellectual property protection, and practical application, commercial exploitation, and technology transfer, aiming for a more complete and effective intellectual asset lifecycle.

Organizational Structure (According to Article 3 of Decision 520/QD-BKHCN)

1. Institute Leadership:

• The Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) has a Director General and Deputy Director Generals.

• The Director General is responsible to the Minister of Science and Technology and before the law for the results of performing the assigned functions, tasks, and powers.

• Deputy Director Generals assist the Director General in directing and managing the assigned work areas of the Institute and are responsible to the Director General and before the law for the performance of assigned tasks.

2. Organizational Apparatus:

• General Affairs Department.

• IP Assessment Department.

• IP Asset Management Department.

• IP Information Exploitation Department.

• The functions, tasks, powers of the departments, and the working relationships between them are stipulated by the Director General.

With the merger of the Institute for Invention Research and Technology Exploitation, a unit specializing in technology application and transfer, the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) is expected to significantly enhance its capacity to promote the exploitation and commercialization of research results and intellectual assets. This means the Institute will not only focus on theoretical research or support for rights establishment but will also play a more active role in bringing inventions and utility solutions into life, contributing to economic value creation and fostering innovation within the business community and society. This combination promises to create a stronger bridge between scientific research, intellectual property protection, and practical application, thereby contributing more directly to Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem.

Significance and Vision: Elevating the Role of Intellectual Property in National Development

The restructuring and establishment of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) carry significant importance, not only for the Institute itself but also for the entire intellectual property system and the socio-economic development of the country. This decision reflects the Government’s deepening recognition of the strategic role of intellectual property as a key driver for economic growth and enhancing national competitiveness in the context of international integration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The emergence of a national intellectual property institute with enhanced scale and capacity, along with clearly defined functions, tasks, and powers in Decision 520/QD-BKHCN, is expected to bring tangible benefits to stakeholders. For the business community and innovators, a stronger national IP agency can provide more comprehensive support services, from research, consultation, training, and assessment to assistance in exploiting and commercializing intellectual assets. This will create more favorable conditions for protecting and leveraging the value of creative achievements. For researchers and universities, the new Institute can become an important partner in promoting applied research and technology transfer. Overall, the merger and upgrading of the Institute will contribute to building a more effective national intellectual property system, more closely linking the stages from knowledge creation to practical application.

Although the documents do not specifically mention links to national strategies, the restructuring of such an important agency is usually part of an overall plan to strengthen science, technology, and innovation capacity. The effective date in 2025 may also suggest the preparation of resources and institutions to implement development goals in the country’s subsequent planning periods. This is a step consistent with the general trend of many developing countries, which view investment in the intellectual property system as a fundamental factor for promoting a knowledge-based and innovative economy.

Important Information for Relevant Agencies, Units, and Individuals

To ensure effective coordination and timely information updates, relevant agencies, units, organizations, and individuals should note the following:

1. Effective date of changes: From May 9, 2025, the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute will officially operate under the new Vietnamese name Viện Sở hữu trí tuệ quốc gia (continuing with the English name Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute – VIPRI), with its organizational structure, functions, tasks, and powers defined according to the new decisions.¹ All transactions, work contacts, and related matters should be adjusted according to this new information.
2. Legal basis:

• The merger of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute and the Institute for Invention Research and Technology Exploitation into the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) is implemented under Decision No. 519/QD-BKHCN dated April 9, 2025, by the Minister of Science and Technology.¹

• The functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) are detailed in Decision No. 520/QD-BKHCN dated April 9, 2025, by the Minister of Science and Technology.¹

3. Accessing full texts: Agencies, units, and individuals wishing to understand the details of the aforementioned decisions can refer to the Portal of the Ministry of Science and Technology or the Official Gazette as prescribed.¹ The original announcement of the renaming also includes a link to download the full announcement.¹
4. Updating information: Relevant parties should regularly monitor information on the official website of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (currently vipri.gov.vn) and subsequently the website of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) to update guidelines, contact information, and specific changes (if any) during the transition and operation of the new Institute.

The official announcement from the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute emphasized “informing agencies, units, organizations, and individuals to be aware and coordinate the implementation of tasks”.¹ This indicates that relevant parties are responsible for proactively updating and adjusting their activities in accordance with this change. The period from when the decisions were issued (April 9, 2025) to the public announcement (May 8, 2025) and the effective date (May 9, 2025) is relatively short.¹ This requires proactivity and speed in disseminating information and preparation from both the Institute’s side and its partners and the community to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting important activities.

Conclusion: Towards a Strong and Effective National Intellectual Property System

The renaming of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute to Viện Sở hữu trí tuệ quốc gia (while retaining the English name Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute – VIPRI), along with the merger and repositioning of its functions and tasks, is a significant development step, demonstrating the determination of the Ministry of Science and Technology to consolidate and enhance the capacity of the system of science and technology organizations in general and the intellectual property field in particular.

These changes, effective from May 9, 2025, along with the detailed provisions in Decision 520/QD-BKHCN, are expected to create a leading IP research and development agency that is more capable, operates more efficiently, and contributes more actively to the cause of science and technology development, innovation, and national economic growth. The emergence of the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) with a new mission and vision promises to contribute to building an increasingly strong national intellectual property system, meeting the requirements of the new development phase and extensive international integration. This is a testament to the growing recognition of the strategic importance of intellectual assets for Vietnam’s prosperity and competitiveness on the international stage. Concerned agencies, businesses, and individuals should closely follow official announcements to update information and coordinate effectively.