Promoting the development of geographical indications and agricultural product brands

Protection of geographical indications (GIs) is gradually playing an important role in agricultural and rural development, contributing to preserving traditional cultural values, biodiversity preservation, promoting the development of production, trade, and added-value of Viet Nam’s agricultural products in the context of international integration.

As of July 31, 2018, 68 geographical indications have been protected in Viet Nam, of which 62 are geographical indications at domestic level and 6 are geographical indications at international level for various agricultural products such as fruits, seafood, rice and processed products.

A number of provinces have successfully developed geographic indications for their agricultural products. For rice, these include Hai Hau – Tám Xoan Rice (Nam Dinh); Dien Bien’s Rice (Dien Bien); Bay Nui Aromatic Rice – Gạo Nàng Nhen Thơm (An Giang); Hong Dan – Một Bụi Đỏ Rice (Bac Lieu); Kinh Mon Sticky Rice – Nếp Cái Hoa Vàng (Hai Duong); Dong Trieu Sticky Rice - Nếp Cái Hoa Vàng (Quang Ninh); Dao market Rice – Gạo Nàng Thơm (Long An); Soc Trang Aromatic Rice (Soc Trang) ...

For fruits, geographical indications have been developed for a number of regional products such as Thanh Ha lychee (Hai Dung); Luc Ngan lychee (Bac Giang); Cho Lach rambutan and pomelo (Ben Tre); Hoa Loc mango, Cat Chu mango (Dong Thap); tangerine (Tra Vinh)…

For seafood: most of seafood processing enterprises have built their own brands for export. In addition, geographical indications have been developed for some local traditional products such as Phu Quoc fish sauce; Hau Loc shrimp paste; Ha Long squid cake; Chau Doc sauce; Dong Hoi fish sauce…

For coffee: Buon Ma Thuot coffee geographical indication was developed since 2005 and have been registered in 17 countries and territories and protected in 10 out of 17 EU countries.

For pepper: a number of geographical indications have been developed such as: Chu Se pepper; Phu Quoc pepper; Loc Ninh pepper; Quang Tri pepper.

For cashew: geographical indication is being developed for Binh Phuoc cashew. It is expected that by the end 2018, Binh Phuoc cashew nuts will be reviewed and protected with geographical indication.

At present, MARD is also instructing specialized agencies with branding development for a number of key commodities including rice, coffee, pangasius and shrimp and guide geographical indication development for local specialties with a view to protect and register Viet Nam's agricultural products.

Specifically, Vietnamese tea brand has been registered and protected in 73 countries and territories. However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also stated that, due to lack of branding efforts, Vietnamese tea is mainly exported in raw form, leading to market confusion about Vietnamese tea or that Vietnamese tea often reaches the market under major foreign tea brands.

Vietnamese rice brand has completed domestic trademark registration procedures. The Regulation on the use of Viet Nam’s national rice brand (Decision No. 1499/QD-BNN-CBTTNS, dated May 2, 2018) has been promulgate. Viet Nam is currently processing application for international trademark registration under the Madrid system.