On May 26, 2026, Vietnam issued Decree No. 186/2026/ND-CP (“Decree 186”), amending and supplementing Decree No. 99/2013/ND-CP (“Decree 99”) on administrative sanctions in the field of industrial property.

Taking effect on July 15, 2026, Decree 186 introduces several changes to enforcement authority and adds new remedial measures, such as website blocking and actions against trade names of household businesses. One of the most milestone developments is a major shift in Vietnam’s intellectual property enforcement landscape. Specifically, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Vietnam) has now assumed central enforcement functions. This article aims to summarize these key changes and outline practical considerations for businesses managing intellectual property in Vietnam.

Expansion and Clarification of Enforcement Authority

The new regulations grant enforcement authority to IP Vietnam and the Directors of provincial Departments of Science and Technology. Notably, IP Vietnam has now replaced the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Science and Technology as the primary administrative enforcement body. The Board of Appeal and Enforcement within IP Vietnam is currently the key department likely responsible for handling enforcement matters, and it has already begun preparing training programs for its members to support this expanded mandate.

The enforcement jurisdiction of the Vietnamese police has also been extended, with cyber police units now integrated into the regulatory system. Specifically, Decree 186 explicitly empowers the cyber security and high-tech crime prevention departments with enforcement authority, thereby strengthening inter-agency coordination and providing stronger safeguards for combating online infringements.

The Decree also introduces new formulations regarding the authority of enforcement entities such as the Vietnamese public security organs, Customs, and Market Surveillance authorities. These adjustments align with Vietnam’s administrative system reforms implemented since 2025, reflecting the current organizational hierarchy of these enforcement agencies.

Fine-imposing powers for certain enforcement positions have been recalibrated, though the maximum fine ceiling remains unchanged.

New Remedial Measures: Website Blocking and Actions Against Household Business Trade Names

Website Blocking: Decree 186 introduces a remedial measure to block access to domain names that infringe upon industrial property rights. Telecommunication operators must implement the blocking of infringing domain names within five days of receiving an order, restore access within three days after an order is revoked, and report execution results within ten days of completion. The old decree only permitted the temporary seizure of infringing domain names as a provisional measure; the new regulations go a step further by mandating that telecommunication operators execute domain blocking, which represents the core newly added provision.

Household Business Trade Names: Remedial measures now extend to household business trade names, rather than being restricted to corporate entity names alone. Competent authorities can require the alteration or deletion of infringing elements in both enterprise names and household business trade names, thereby broadening coverage to all types of infringing entities.

Summary of Core Takeaways

The core key points are summarized as follows:

More Powerful Enforcement Tools: Decree 186 expands enforcement capabilities and clarifies the authority of various enforcement entities, with particular focus on infringements in online and digital environments. The new role assumed by IP Vietnam is expected to drive more comprehensive and effective enforcement actions.

New Remedial Measures Available: Rights holders can now request website blocking measures and take action against household business trade names, expanding the scope of enforcement. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should also prepare to cooperate with mandatory enforcement measures upon receiving official requests.

Practical Considerations: How the new remedial measures will be implemented in practice—especially their application in online infringement cases—will become clearer as enforcement agencies gradually establish their operational mechanisms under the new framework. For businesses, it will be advantageous to closely monitor developments and assess whether these new remedies align with their enforcement strategies in Vietnam.