Vietnam Introduces Intellectual Property Education for Schoolchildren to Fuel Innovation-Driven Growth

In a move that reflects Vietnam’s forward-looking strategy for sustainable economic development, the country is introducing intellectual property (IP) education at the elementary and high school levels — a bold initiative aimed at nurturing a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

At the Innovation and Intellectual Property Day held in Hanoi, Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, Mr. Trần Lê Hồng, emphasized that intellectual property is no longer an abstract or distant concept, but a practical tool — even for school-aged children — to turn their ideas into real-world innovations.

“IP empowers students to transform dreams into useful, creative outcomes. Their ideas can hold genuine potential for intellectual property protection,” Mr. Hồng said.

Turning Classrooms into Innovation Labs

The initiative is part of a broader educational reform inspired by models developed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The new curriculum is being adapted to the Vietnamese school context by Trường Thành Media and Smart School Corporation, covering both preschools and K–12 institutions.

Each lesson integrates real-world examples of innovation, ranging from successful inventions to applicable technologies already impacting daily life. These examples serve as launchpads for interactive learning activities, including games, animated videos, and hands-on challenges that teach students about the principles of invention, scientific thinking, and intellectual property in an engaging, age-appropriate way.

“The goal is for students to discover real-world problems, understand the scientific principles behind solutions, and gradually form an entrepreneurial mindset,” explained Mr. Trịnh Thành Trung, CEO of Smart School Corporation.

One standout feature of the curriculum is its storytelling approach. For instance, the theme “Silver Armor for Fruits” — based on Dr. Nguyễn Bình Phương’s nano-silver gel invention that extends the shelf life of agricultural produce — was presented to elementary students as an engaging entry point into the world of applied science and IP protection.

Real Innovations from Young Minds

Vietnamese students are already proving that youth is no barrier to innovation. Mr. Hồng cited several impressive inventions, including a fine dust filtration device using centrifugal technology developed by high schoolers in Nghe An, and bioplastic made from shrimp shells and agricultural waste by students in Nam Dinh. These achievements highlight the creative capacity of students when they are equipped with the right tools and encouragement.

According to Mr. Hồng, Vietnam’s school-based IP education initiative helps shift mindsets from viewing intellectual property as something reserved for universities and tech companies to recognizing it as a vital tool for every student. This aligns with broader global trends that integrate STEM and STEAM learning models to prepare youth for the digital and innovation economies.

Building Vietnam’s Innovation Economy from the Ground Up

By planting the seeds of innovation and IP literacy early, Vietnam is preparing its future workforce to thrive in a global knowledge economy. The Ministry of Science and Technology sees this as a long-term investment in national competitiveness — fostering creativity, protecting local ingenuity, and creating an environment where ideas can be transformed into tangible economic value.

“Intellectual property is gradually becoming part of the school culture. This not only equips students with valuable career skills but also sets a foundation for a vibrant, innovation-led economy,” Mr. Hồng concluded.

As Vietnam continues to rise as a regional manufacturing and tech powerhouse, this early IP education initiative marks a strategic step toward building an economy where ideas — not just labor — are the primary engine of growth.

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Source: Vietnam Insider