Trademark protection: domestic or international
Registering in Vietnam does not automatically protect you in other countries, so if you expand your market, protection must also follow.
Trademark protection is territorial: registration in Vietnam is only effective in Vietnam. For most businesses, it is advisable to secure domestic registration first, then expand internationally through the Madrid system when there are plans for export or outsourcing abroad. International registration through Madrid requires a domestic base application.
- Do you have plans for exporting or cross-border sales?
- Set up outsourcing, with branded products overseas.
- Franchising or opening international branches
- Only sold domestically, no plans for expansion yet
- Not sure if you have registered domestically.
This question often comes when a business starts thinking about exporting, cross-border sales, or outsourcing abroad. The underlying principle is territorial protection.
Protection by territory
Trademarks registered in Vietnam are only protected within Vietnam's territory. To be protected in another country, it must be registered there. Therefore, a brand that performs well domestically may still be registered by another party in the export market.
What is the Madrid system?
Vietnam is a member of the Madrid system managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Instead of filing separately in each country, you can submit one international application designating multiple countries at once. The Madrid application must be based on a domestic application or registration in Vietnam. Each designated country will still assess according to its own laws, and the examination time varies by country.
Choose appropriate pathways.
For most businesses, the logical order is to secure the domestic market first, then expand internationally to carefully planned markets. Registering in multiple countries without a presence there can often be costly and of little value. Conversely, if you already have export orders, you should seek protection early in that market before your brand is exposed. Within six months from the date of the first application in Vietnam, you can enjoy priority rights under the Paris Convention when applying in another member country, meaning the foreign application is treated as if filed on the same day as the first application.
The foundation needed before filing.
To register a trademark in multiple locations, the name and mark must be sufficiently distinctive and used consistently, as each country assesses according to its own laws. Choosing countries, grouping, and submitting a Madrid application should be done with the help of an industrial property representative. Protection is an investment, so it should follow a real market map rather than be based on intuition.
Decision checklist
Topic: Registering a trademark domestically or expanding internationally through the Madrid system. Sinh Vũ guide, sinhvu.com
Tick each item that applies or that you can already answer, then print or save as PDF to take with you.
If you have marked most of the signs above, this is the time to discuss in more detail. Sinh Vũ can help you review and propose a direction.
This article provides general information according to the documents in effect as of October 6, 2026. This is not legal advice and does not substitute for a lawyer's opinion for your specific case. Rights and obligations between Sinh Vũ and clients arise only according to the signed contract.
References
Vietnam Intellectual Property Office, International trademark registration through the Madrid system (ipvietnam.gov.vn); World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO, Madrid system (wipo.int). This information is for reference only and does not replace legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is registering in Madrid significantly more expensive?
Costs depend on the number of countries and product groups designated, so they increase with the scope. In markets with few countries, sometimes filing separately in each country makes more sense. An industrial property representative will help you compare based on a specific country list.
Do you need to register domestically before proceeding with Madrid?
You need at least one base application in Vietnam to serve as the foundation for the Madrid application; it is not necessary to wait for the approval. In the first five years, the validity of the international registration still depends on the fate of this base application.
This article is for reference. The scope, pricing, and specific commitments of Sinh Vũ are detailed in the proposal and signed contract.