A practice manual for Vietnamese patent annuities. The most common reason quotations go wrong in Vietnam is omitting the independent claim count: annuities are not a flat amount per case but are multiplied by the number of independent claims.
1. At a glance
- System type
- Annual annuities
- Anchor date
- Registration date
- Due date rule
- Registration anniversary
- First fee
- Year 1 at registration Nothing payable before registration
- Payment window
- 6 months before the due date
- Grace period
- 6 months at 10% per month
- Restoration
- None — the grace period is the last line of defence
- Fee driver
- Number of independent claims
- Reduction
- None
- Risk level
- Caution
2. Anchor date and due-date calculation
The anchor is the registration date. Fees fall due on the registration anniversary, with the payment window opening six months earlier. Each year is paid separately; multi-year bulk payment is not available.
Worked example
For a registration dated 2023-03-10 the due dates are as follows.
| Instalment | Formula | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | Registration + 1 year | 2024-03-10 |
| Year 3 | Registration + 2 years | 2025-03-10 |
| Year 4 | Registration + 3 years | 2026-03-10 |
| … | Same each year | … |
3. When payments begin
- The first year is paid at registration. Nothing is payable beforehand.
- Payment is then annual, due on the registration anniversary.
- Multi-year bulk payment is not available.
- Foreign proprietors must act through a local agent.
4. Grace period and surcharge
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grace period | 6 months from the due date |
| Surcharge | 10% per month |
| If unpaid | The right lapses — no restoration mechanism |
5. Fee structure — multiplied by independent claims
The Vietnamese annuity is the sum of two components, both multiplied by the number of independent claims: a maintenance fee of VND 100,000 per independent claim, and a use fee per independent claim that varies by band as below.
| Band | Use fee per independent claim (VND) |
|---|---|
| Years 1-2 | 300,000 |
| Years 3-4 | 500,000 |
| Years 5-6 | 800,000 |
| Years 7-8 | 1,200,000 |
| Years 9-10 | 1,800,000 |
| Years 11-13 | 2,500,000 |
| Years 14-16 | 3,300,000 |
| Years 17-20 | 4,200,000 |
6. Reduction
Vietnam has no annuity reduction.
7. Term extension
Term extension in Vietnam has not been researched. If it becomes relevant on a pharmaceutical case, confirm with the local agent.
8. Management checklist
- Registration date, from which every deadline is calculated.
- The independent claim count — without it the amount cannot be calculated.
- A local agent, which foreign proprietors must have.
- Begin client confirmation when the payment window opens six months before the due date. With no restoration available, do not plan around the grace period.
- For cases in the grace period, apply 10% for each elapsed month.
Sources, cut-off date and disclaimer
This manual is based on iphere's August 2026 survey of country-by-country overseas maintenance rules, together with values produced by the deadline engine that runs on those same rules. Official fees and deadline rules change by office notice, so please confirm against the official source and your local agent before any actual payment or filing.