A trademark registration certificate in Vietnam lasts 10 years — but it is not “lost” after 10 years if the holder completes the renewal procedure on time. Since 1 July 2026, the renewal procedure has fundamentally changed under Circular 20/2026/TT-BKHCN. This article explains the filing deadline, dossier and renewal process under current regulations.
10-year term and unlimited renewals (Articles 93(6) and 94 of the IP Law)
Under Article 93(6) of the Law on Intellectual Property (consolidated text 67/VBHN-VPQH), a trademark registration certificate is valid from the grant date until the end of 10 years from the filing date — note the term runs from the filing date, not the grant date. A mark may be renewed repeatedly, each time for 10 years, with no cap on the number of renewals.
Under Article 94 of the IP Law, renewal is effected by paying fees; the order and procedures are prescribed by the Minister of Science and Technology (paragraph 4, added by Law 131/2025/QH15, effective 1 April 2026) — namely Article 108 of Circular 10/2026/TT-BKHCN (new version after Circular 20/2026).
⚠️ Do not confuse with industrial designs: designs may be renewed at most twice, each time for 5 years. Nor should “renewal” (trademarks, designs) be confused with “maintenance” (patents — annual maintenance fees).
The current procedure: new Article 108 (since 1 July 2026)
Circular 20/2026/TT-BKHCN (Chapter IV effective 1 July 2026) replaced Article 108 with a merged “maintenance + renewal of title validity” procedure and repealed old Article 109. Key changes:
- The dossier uses Form No. 01 in Appendix II (new form issued with Circular 20/2026) — no longer Form No. 02;
- The outcome is a “notice of renewal of validity” — since 1 July 2026 it is no longer called a “renewal decision”;
- Publication in the Industrial Property Gazette within 30 days (old rule: 60 days);
- The old requirement of a “copy of the fee payment receipt” has been removed.
Renewal filing deadline (new Article 108(2))
- Timely filing: the dossier and full fees must be submitted to the IP Office within the 6 months leading up to the certificate’s expiry date.
- Grace period: late filing is allowed up to 6 months after expiry, provided an additional late fee for each month of delay is paid per fee regulations.
- Beyond the 6-month grace period without renewal → the certificate’s validity terminates automatically from the start of the next validity period (Article 95(2) of the IP Law). There is no “restoration” mechanism afterwards — the holder must file a new application.
Renewal dossier (new Article 108(1))
- (a) Declaration on Form No. 01 in Appendix II;
- (b) The original certificate (if issued in paper form and recordal of the renewal on the title is requested);
- (c) Power of attorney (if filed through a representative; for partial renewal through a representative, the authorization must specify the corresponding scope).
One dossier may request renewal of several certificates at once. Renewal may cover all or part of the goods/services list (new Article 108(3)).
Processing (new Article 108(5))
Within 1 month of receiving the dossier:
- Valid dossier → the Office issues a “notice of renewal of validity”, records it on the title (if requested), enters it in the National Register, and publishes it in the Industrial Property Gazette within 30 days;
- Invalid dossier → the Office issues a notice of intended refusal with reasons and sets 2 months to remedy deficiencies or submit comments; if still unsatisfactory, a refusal decision is issued within 1 month.
The Office refuses renewal where: the title had already been terminated or had expired at the time of the request; or the title had been invalidated at filing or during processing.
Practical risks and notes
- Watch the 6-month pre-expiry window: do not wait until the last minute — file early to avoid dossier-deficiency risks.
- The grace period has a price: each month of delay adds a late fee; and after the 6-month grace period the right is lost permanently with no restoration.
- Use the new form: Form No. 01/Appendix II (Circular 20/2026) — dossiers on the old Form 02 will be invalid.
- Partial renewal: consider it when some goods/services classes are no longer in business — but narrowing the list needs care, as it cannot be re-expanded later.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a trademark certificate valid? How many renewals are allowed?
Valid until the end of 10 years from the filing date; renewable repeatedly, each time for 10 years, with no limit (Article 93(6) of the IP Law).
When must the renewal request be filed?
Within the 6 months before expiry. Late filing is allowed within a 6-month grace period after expiry, with a late fee for each month of delay.
What happens after the grace period expires?
The certificate’s validity terminates automatically (Article 95(2)); there is no restoration procedure — a new trademark application must be filed.
Is “renewal decision” still the correct term?
No. Since 1 July 2026, the outcome is a “notice of renewal of validity” under new Article 108 (Circular 20/2026); “renewal decision” is the superseded term.
Legal basis
- Law on Intellectual Property — consolidated text 67/VBHN-VPQH (issued 23 March 2026): Article 93(6) (protection term and renewal), Article 94 (renewal by fee payment), Article 95(2) (automatic termination for non-renewal).
- Law 131/2025/QH15 (effective 1 April 2026) — added Article 94(4).
- Circular 10/2026/TT-BKHCN (31 March 2026, effective 1 April 2026): Article 108 (new version) — title renewal/maintenance procedure.
- Circular 20/2026/TT-BKHCN (20 May 2026, Chapter IV effective 1 July 2026): replaced Article 108, repealed old Article 109, issued Form No. 01/Appendix II.
- Circular 263/2016/TT-BTC (fees); Circular 64/2025/TT-BTC (50% fee reduction until 31 December 2026); Circular 29/2026/TT-BTC (fee exemptions for VNeID filings, 1 April–31 December 2026).
Note: Circular 23/2023/TT-BKHCN expired on 1 April 2026 and no longer applies.
Related reading
- Trademark Protection in Vietnam for Foreign Investors
- Trademark Registration in Vietnam for FDI Enterprises in 2026: A Complete Guide
Contact
If you need assistance renewing trademark certificates or managing your IP portfolio, please contact FLAT Law Firm via our contact page.
Disclaimer and transparency notice
This article is for general legal information only. It was drafted and reviewed by the AI Legal Council of FLAT Law Firm under its internal process; it has not been reviewed by a human lawyer and does not constitute legal advice for any specific matter. Please consult a licensed lawyer before taking any procedural step.
