Geographical Indication - "Passport" for Vietnamese products

Geographical indications make an important contribution to helping branded products conquer the domestic market as well as being a "passport" for many Vietnamese branded products to access difficult markets.

The pepper product "Dak Nong" is certified by the National Office of Intellectual Property for geographical indication registration. Photo: Nguyen Dung-VNA

In recent years, geographical indications have made an important contribution to helping branded products conquer the domestic market as well as being a "passport" for many Vietnamese branded products to access difficult markets such as: EU, Japan…

Joining hands with all levels, industries and localities in the development of brands, geo-labeling, the National Brand program plays the role of "messenger" to connect, transmit information and affirm the brand name for customers products are labeled with a geographical indication.

Experts say that a geographical indication is a sign used to indicate that a product originates from a particular region, locality, territory or country.

The reputation of a product bearing a geographical indication is determined by consumers' confidence in that product through how widely consumers know and choose that product.

According to the Trade Promotion Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Vietnam is known as one of the top exporters of agricultural, forestry and fishery products.

Along with socio-economic development and fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, world geopolitics has pushed food security to a top concern. In particular, Vietnam affirms that agriculture is the foundation and pedestal in the country's economic development.

Every year, agricultural, forestry and fishery products play an important role in export turnover and are the source of raw materials for the processing industry.

In addition to the main products such as rice, pepper, cashew nut, coffee, etc., in recent years, fruits are creating a new position in the international market for Vietnamese agricultural products such as litchi, mango, longan, rambutan...

To create motivation and attract investment in the agricultural sector, the Government has issued Decree 57/2018/ND-CP on mechanisms and policies to encourage investment in agriculture and rural areas.

Accordingly, enterprises will be supported with exemption and reduction of land rent, land use and water surface in agricultural investment; technology transfer; loan…

The National Target Program to build new countryside is also one of the Government's decisions to help improve the living standards of people in rural areas through criteria, thereby changing the face of villages.

Ninh Thuan grape products have been protected by geographical indications. Photo: Nguyen Thanh - VNA

Along with that, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program was formed and accompanies farmers to raise the brand awareness of Vietnamese village products.

Leading in local brand development are Quang Ninh, Dong Nai... with Ba Che yellow flower tea, Tan An chicken eggs, Trong Duc cocoa... Accordingly, the local OCOP Steering Committees have actively popularized policies, propagandize and guide people on packaging specifications, labels, barcodes for traceability...

A representative of the Trade Promotion Agency assessed that Binh Thuan dragon fruit, Buon Ma Thuot coffee, Luc Ngan lychee, Hung Yen longan, Hoa Loc sand mango... are often associated with a place that shows the specific origin of the product, both expressing pride in the countryside and the country with agricultural and livestock products.

Therefore, geographical indications contribute to raising the value of products because the general psychology of customers when deciding to buy and choose a product is based on the reputation and popularity of that product.

In fact, geographical indications that are registered for protection will bring a sense of security and minimize counterfeiting; fake and poor-quality goods.

At the same time, geographical indications granted a protection title will have exclusive use indefinitely before the law. When other parties use registered trade names, trademarks or geographical indications without the owner's permission, they are considered to be infringing intellectual property rights.

According to a representative of the Trade Promotion Agency, in 2020, the Vietnam - European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) officially comes into effect, Vietnam is protected by the EU for 39 geographical indications and is a large opportunity for Vietnamese products to be exported to this market.

As of November 2021, Vietnam has 110 products with geographical indications and geographical indications protected in Vietnam under international treaties, including 173 products.

Specifically, geographical indications protected under the EVFTA Agreement include 169 products; Geographical indications protected under the Vietnam - United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) include 4 products./.

Source: Uyen Huong/BNEWS/VNA