Vietnam has reinstated a 50% reduction on many official intellectual property fees, giving rights-holders a welcome cost break from 1 July 2025 through 31 December 2026.The cut is mandated by the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 64/2025/TT-BTC and implemented by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) via an official notification.

Scope at a Glance

The reduction applies to a broad set of intellectual property fees listed in Section A of Circular 263/2016/TT-BTC (the country’s IP fee schedule). In practical terms, this covers official fees payable to IP Vietnam across patents and utility solutions, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications for actions such as filing, examination, publication and maintenance when the payments fall inside the effective period. Firms do not need a special form: the reduced tariff is applied to eligible payments made during the effective period.

A few points of context help frame the change. Vietnam first introduced temporary 50% cuts during the pandemic and extended them through 31 December 2024; the discount then lapsed on 1 January 2025 under IP Viet Nam’s Notice 4090/TB-SHTT. The new measure reinstates the 50% level from mid-2025 and keeps it in force for 18months, after which fees are slated to revert to the standard rates unless further extended.

Effective Dates and How they Work

• Start date: Payments received on or after 1 July 2025 benefit from the reduced rates.
• End date: Payments made after 31 December 2026 are expected to return to the standard schedule, absent any new policy.
• Authority: The reduction is set out at national level by the Ministry of Finance (Circular 64/2025/TT-BTC) and reflected operationally in IP Vietnam’s notices and systems.

Because the policy keys off payment timing, applicants should review the due dates of filings, responses, publications and renewals to determine which charges can lawfully fall inside the discount window. Where rules allow, advancing an action into the window or avoiding slipping beyond 31 December 2026 can materially lower official outlay. (Agent service charges, translations and other professional costs are not affected by the Circular.)

Who Benefits and by How Much?

Any domestic or foreign applicant paying eligible official fees during the window enjoys the reduction. For example, a standard filing or examination fee due to IP Vietnam in this period is charged at 50% of the rate otherwise stated in the fee schedule. As a benchmark, professional alerts from local firms confirm the 50%figure and the two key dates, aligning with the government Circular.

Practical Steps for Rights-holders

1. Map upcoming costs. Build a calendar of Vietnam-related filings, examinations, publications, renewals and recordals for Q3 2025–Q4 2026. Where the law permits, time actions to fall between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2026.
2. Prioritise value filings. If budgets are tight, consider bringing forward high-priority trademark classes or core patent/design families to lock in the lower official fees during the window.
3. Watch non-covered items. The 50% reduction targets the official fee line items listed in Section A of the fee schedule; other government charges or out-of-pocket expenses may not be reduced. Ask your agent for a fee quote that splits official fees from professional costs.
4. Keep proof of payment timing. Because eligibility hinges on when the fee is paid, retain bank slips or e-payment confirmations showing dates within the window in case of any queries. IP Vietnam has flagged the Circular and is applying it, but documentation helps avoid administrative friction.

Bottom line

For 18 months from 1July 2025 to 31 December 2026, Vietnam offers a straightforward 50% cut on many official IP fees. This is a significant, time-limited opportunity to reduce the cost of obtaining and maintaining protection in a fast-growing market. If you have pending or planned filings in Vietnam, now is the time to audit deadlines, schedule key steps inside the window and capture the savings while they last. For authoritative details (and the official PDF), see the Ministry of Finance’s Circular 64/2025/TT-BTC and IP Vietnam’s implementation notice.