5. Right to register geographical indications of Viet Nam belongs to the State (Article 88, the IP Law 2005)
The State allows organizations and individuals producing products bearing geographical indications, collective organizations representing such organizations or individuals or administrative management agencies of localities to which such geographical indications pertain to exercise the right to register such geographical indications. Persons who exercise the right to register geographical indications shall not become owners of such geographical indications.
People’s Committees of provinces and cities under central authority shall carry out registration procedures and organize management of geographical indications used for the localities’ specialties (Paragraph 4 Article 19 Decree No. 103/2006/ND-CP).
6. The owner of Vietnam’s geographical indications is the State (Paragraph 4, Article 121, the IP Law 2005) :
The State shall grant the right to use geographical indications to organizations or individuals that turn out products bearing such geographical indications in relevant localities and put such products on the market. The State shall directly exercise the right to manage geographical indications or grant that right to organizations representing the interests of all organizations or individuals granted with the right to use geographical indications.