Protecting Intellectual Property Rights: How Vietnam’s Geographical Indications Boost Export Prices and Value Local Products

Recently, the number of geographical indication registrations in Vietnam has increased rapidly, with many agricultural products successfully protected abroad. This has led to price increases of 15-25%. For example, during the 2021 lychee season, Mr. Vu Van Men’s family from Bac Giang no longer had to worry about their lychees losing value in the “good season” because they had obtained a geographical indication protection certificate in the Japanese market.

To meet the strict technical requirements for exporting lychees to Japan and receiving geographical indication protection, the growing process from seedlings to harvesting must adhere to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards. Lychee trees cannot be intercropped with other trees, and livestock cannot be raised in the garden area. The strict process has led to a 15-25% increase in selling price for Luc Ngan lychees compared to before geographical indication protection was attached.

The Bac Giang Department of Industry and Trade predicts an increase in lychee exports to Japan over the coming years, with 201 tons estimated for 2021, 254 tons for 2023, and 500 tons for 2024. To protect intellectual property rights of Vietnamese products looking to export to other countries, businesses must register for intellectual property protection in those countries as well.

According to the National Office of Intellectual Property, there has been a rapid increase in geographical indication registrations in Vietnam in recent years. Many localities have invested in specific products through geographical indications, with fruit products accounting for about 35% of all protected geographical indications. Protecting intellectual property rights is crucial for Vietnamese businesses expanding abroad. While the process of registering trademarks and geographical indications abroad can be complex and time-consuming, it is necessary to increase the value of specific local products and expand export opportunities. State management agencies are working to support businesses through seminars, training, and raising awareness of intellectual property.

Vietnam has signed international treaties on intellectual property and has cooperation activities with partners like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to support Vietnamese businesses in protecting intellectual property rights in foreign markets. The signing of the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union and other agreements demonstrate Vietnam’s commitment to intellectual property protection and support for businesses expanding internationally.