Tilleke & Gibbins has authored the Vietnam chapter in International Trade 2026, published by Chambers and Partners. The guide offers comprehensive coverage of international trade regulation in leading jurisdictions and serves as a practical resource for organizations engaged in global trade and investment. The Vietnam chapter addresses a wide range of trade-related issues, including: WTO participation and regional and bilateral trade agreements Customs administration, enforcement, and applicable legal instruments Sanctions regimes and enforcement authorities Export controls, sensitive exports, and licensing requirements Antidumping and countervailing duty investigations and reviews Investment security mechanisms and notification requirements Subsidies, incentives, and measures affecting domestic production Standards, technical requirements, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures Geographical indications and other regulatory measures affecting trade In addition to outlining the current regulatory landscape, the chapter discusses recent developments and anticipated changes relevant to businesses trading with or operating in Vietnam. Chambers’ International Trade 2026 guide brings together contributions from leading law firms worldwide, offering up-to-date, jurisdiction-specific insight into the evolving global trade environment. Tilleke & Gibbins also contributed the Thailand chapter to International Trade 2026. A PDF of the Vietnam chapter can be downloaded through the button below, and the full International Trade 2026 guide is available for free on the Chambers and Partners website.

Vietnam’s National Assembly approved wide-ranging amendments to the Intellectual Property (IP) Law on December 10, 2025, marking one of the most significant overhauls of the country’s IP regime in recent years. The changes, which supplement and refine existing provisions, are designed to align Vietnam’s framework more closely with international standards while addressing practical challenges faced by rights holders and practitioners. The amendments will come into force on April 1, 2026. The most notable changes are detailed below. Recognition of partial and nonphysical industrial designs: Industrial design protection has been broadened to cover partial designs and nonphysical forms (class 32), explicitly extending rights to parts of products that are not independently circulated as well as digital and intangible product appearances. The law clarifies that the external appearances of nonphysical products are protected industrial designs, and circulation of digital copies of any part of that appearance will be treated as an act of using the industrial design. The provision on the industrial applicability of industrial designs has also been amended accordingly to include the uniform reproduction of nonphysical products in cyberspace. Resolving conflicts between overlapping rights: The IP Law provides a safeguard against conflicts when a single subject matter is protected by multiple IP rights. Where overlapping rights exist, the later-arising right will be terminated if its exercise interferes with the normal exploitation of an earlier right. The decision to terminate such a later right rests with the court. Use of published data for AI training: Organizations and individuals may use lawfully published and publicly accessible documents and data for scientific research, testing, and AI system training. Such use must not unreasonably prejudice the rights or legitimate interests of authors or IP rights holders. Where the documents and data fall under copyright or related rights protection, their use must also comply

Thailand is taking steps to energize its startup scene by drafting the Startup Promotion Law. This draft law aims to remove obstacles, open new funding opportunities, and provide coordinated government support. The goal is to make it easier for Thailand-based startups to grow and compete on a global stage. Why Is This Law Needed? For many years, Thai startups have operated under traditional company law frameworks that were not designed with high-growth businesses or with fundraising opportunities in mind. Restrictions on issuing bonds, offering shares to outside investors, and repurchasing shares for employee incentive programs made it challenging for emerging companies to access capital and accelerate their growth. The draft Startup Promotion Act seeks to remove these obstacles and foster a more competitive, entrepreneur-friendly environment in Thailand. Who’s in Charge? Two main organizations will oversee the startup ecosystem: Startup Promotion Committee: This group, to be appointed by the National Science, Research, and Innovation Policy Council, will set national strategies, policies, and budget; design promotional campaign and incentives; and propose further legislative amendments to promote startups. National Innovation Agency (NIA): Under the draft act, the NIA will be the main contact for startups and will serve as the secretariat office of the Startup Promotion Committee, coordinating data, advising startups, maintaining the public registry, and providing funding and investment (grants, repayable grants, loans, and equity) under committee criteria and, where applicable, cabinet approval. What Startups Are Eligible for Benefits? To be officially recognized and access benefits, a company must: Be a private limited company less than 10 years old at the time of application. Existing companies that already exceed the 10-year threshold may still apply for startup statues within one year of the law’s enactment, as long as they otherwise still qualify for the new regime. Have average annual revenue not

On November 18, 2025, Thailand’s Ministry of Finance issued an announcement that revises and expands the scope of goods that may be imported duty-free for educational, research, and cultural purposes, streamlining the framework for institutions and organizations engaged in academic and scientific activities. The announcement, which took effect the following day, amends customs duty exemptions under section 12 of the Customs Tariff Decree B.E. 2530 (1987). Expanded Institutional Coverage The announcement broadens the types of entities eligible to import duty-free goods. Under the revised framework, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) now certifies imports for educational and research purposes by: Public and private educational institutions operating under the National Education Act; Government agencies with statutory mandates for education and research; and Associations and foundations whose objectives include educational research. This expansion recognizes a wider range of organizations engaged in knowledge-based activities and removes previous limitations that may have excluded certain nonprofit entities. To qualify for duty exemption, goods must be imported specifically for educational and research use, as certified by the MHESI. Additionally, equivalent goods must not already be available from domestic producers, although the certifying ministry may approve imports of domestically available items if it determines that foreign procurement is critically necessary. Categories of Duty-Free Goods The announcement specifies seven categories of goods eligible for duty exemption: Newspapers, printed materials, and documents Art objects and collectibles related to education, science, or culture Audiovisual equipment for educational, scientific, or cultural purposes Scientific materials, instruments, and equipment Goods for persons with disabilities Musical instruments, sports equipment, and skill-enhancement tools Art and architecture education equipment Qualification Procedures Before importing goods under this exemption, operators must secure certification from the MHESI. This certification process requires demonstrating that the goods will be used for educational or research purposes and,