Nationwide crackdown on copyright infringement

The Vietnamese government has initiated a high-profile, nationwide campaign to combat the pervasive issue of intellectual property (IP) infringement. This concentrated effort, running from May 7 to May 30, 2026, signals a strong commitment to protecting creative works and legitimate businesses from illegal exploitation.

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The Government has requested the opening of a high-profile nationwide sweep from today (May 7) to May 30, 2026, for the crime of intellectual property infringement.

The crackdown specifically targets a wide range of digital content, including pirated films, music, and video games, alongside counterfeit goods and trademark violations. The Ministry of Public Security has been tasked with dismantling major infringing websites, including those operating in English, and pursuing criminal charges in significant cases. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will focus on compliance with copyright laws for software, media, and games.

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We are in an arms race in technology.

This initiative is crucial for Vietnam's economic development and its integration into the global marketplace. Persistent IP violations create an uneven playing field, deterring investment and harming legitimate creators and businesses. The government's goal to increase enforcement actions by at least 20% demonstrates a serious intent to curb this 'underground economy' and ensure that creators are fairly compensated and that the nation benefits from its creative output. The establishment of interdisciplinary task forces in each province underscores the coordinated, top-down approach to tackling this complex challenge.

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We need to divide into two tiers: short-term is risk control and strict handling of violations, long-term is building an intellectual property ecosystem as a foundation for the creative economy.