On March 25, 2020, the IP Office of Vietnam (formerly the NOIP) issued Announcement No. 5060/TB-SHTT on Strengthening the Initiation of Measures to Prevent and Combat COVID-19.

Announcement 5060 provides some measures to protect IP Office personnel in the COVID-19 situation, in particular in relation to arranging fee collection and receiving guests such as for interviews, and relating to working remotely from home. Announcement 5060 provides some important points that warrant attention by rightsholders and practitioners, namely:

1. The Legal and Policy Department was tasked with researching and proposing measures for grace periods for applicants against the backdrop of COVID-19. A number of firms, such as Tilleke & Gibbins, have participated in proposing solutions.
2. The IT Center was assigned to collaborate with the Registration Department and various other IP Office departments to propose solutions to increase online and postal filings.

Although no special grace periods due to the COVID-19 situation are in place yet, it appears from Announcement 5060 that this is under consideration. Online filing is currently available in Vietnam.

We will provide further updates as policies develop.