Vietnam is intensifying its crackdown on digital piracy and counterfeiting, responding to mounting pressure from the United States amid ongoing trade negotiations.

Facing the threat of tariffs on its exports—reportedly up to 46%—Vietnam has made digital IP enforcement a national priority. This shift represents not only a strategic move to preserve trade advantages, but also a sign that compliance with global IP standards is becoming a prerequisite for economic cooperation.

Policy Action Driven by U.S. Concerns

Vietnam is under growing scrutiny from the United States over its lax enforcement of intellectual property protections. According to Caliber.az, the country is actively reforming its approach to piracy and counterfeiting to avoid being hit with up to 46% tariffs on its exports to the U.S.

Vietnamese Trade Minister Nguyen Hong Dien recently met with U.S. officials in Washington to express Vietnam’s willingness to combat trade fraud and illegal transshipment (Reuters, May 2025).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh echoed this urgency, stating that stronger measures were needed to fight counterfeit goods and trade fraud to secure continued trade relations with the United States (Reuters, May 2024).

“Vietnam is committed to taking specific steps to strengthen its intellectual property framework and enforcement,” a Vietnamese trade official said during the negotiations, as reported by Caliber.az.

According to Reuters, Vietnamese Trade Minister Nguyen Hong Dien met with U.S. officials in May 2025 to reaffirm the country’s commitment to fighting trade fraud and piracy. This follows a May 2024 directive by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to enhance enforcement mechanisms and clamp down on counterfeit goods (Reuters).

Vietnam has long been viewed by U.S. authorities as a high-risk jurisdiction for IP violations, particularly in the areas of software piracy and counterfeit manufacturing. The country has frequently appeared on the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) watch list.

A Global Shift Toward Higher IP Compliance

Vietnam’s actions echo broader trends around the world:

  • India has linked software license compliance to investment incentives
  • Brazil and Mexico have tightened digital IP enforcement through trade pacts
  • The EU and U.S. continue to tie IP compliance to tariff reductions and market access

As the geopolitical landscape shifts, IP enforcement is evolving from a legal issue into a cornerstone of trade diplomacy.

What This Means for Software Vendors

For vendors operating in or exporting to Vietnam, this moment presents a strategic opening:

  • Increased likelihood of government collaboration on piracy cases
  • Rising deterrent pressure on end-users of pirated software
  • Favorable policy conditions for formal complaint filing and case advancement

Software publishers should prioritize:

  • Revisiting local license compliance and enforcement strategies
  • Coordinating with enforcement partners like ITCA
  • Engaging local trade authorities where enforcement aligns with national policy

ITCA’s Position

“These levels of piracy have long discouraged investment in markets with such blatant theft,” said Michael Viala, Sales & Marketing Manager at SSI. “It’s encouraging to see governments finally taking meaningful steps to correct course.”

ITCA views Vietnam’s shift as an inflection point for Southeast Asia. Countries that have historically resisted enforcement are now acting out of trade necessity, offering new channels to pursue piracy at both the reseller and end-user levels.

Take Action

ITCA helps rights holders act when windows like this open.

We offer:

  • Evidence-based investigations
  • Strategic enforcement planning in sensitive jurisdictions
  • Government outreach in alignment with policy reform

Contact ITCA to explore compliance opportunities in Vietnam and similar fast-shifting markets.