Early Start to World IP Day Celebrations in Viet Nam

The WIPO Singapore Office (WSO) was pleased to join the first World IP Day-related event in the ASEAN region for 2021. Co-organized by the IP Office of Viet Nam and the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh, the hybrid event saw over 200 SMEs attend in-person whilst the WSO and others participated via video conference.

With the 2021 World IP Day theme being IP & SMEs: Taking your ideas to market, the forum, was appropriately entitled "Intellectual Property for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises". It featured the WSO sharing on the way the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks helps SMEs to expand overseas, as well as speakers from the IP office, the university and business owners.

The forum also featured an exhibition of "Intellectual property products" on the campus of the University. 28 businesses and organizations exhibited with products on display varying from high-tech inventions to innovative every day products.

Speaking at the opening of the Forum, Dr. Phan Hong Hai, Rector of the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, shared the message of World Intellectual Property Day 2021 and encouraged SMEs to use IP to bring their ideas to market. "Businesses can use intellectual property rights to be stronger and more competitive, leading to sustainable development".

The event marks the commencement of a significant range of activities ASEAN Member States will be organizing in conjunction with the WSO in the lead up and on World IP Day on April 26.