For the time being, Da Nang is aiming to develop a wide variety of quality specialities in tandem with earning a reputation in the market. In particular, many products bearing labels associated with specific addresses, as well as protected by intellectual property rights are have created the impetus for production and business development, in tandem with assisting local people and businesses in expanding their consumer markets.

Mr Le Duc Vien (left), Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology awarded the certificate of intellectual property for agricultural products in Hoa Vang District. Photo: M.QUE

In Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, the Ampelopsis cantoniensis (cây che day) growing naturally under the forest canopy also has the ability to regenerate shoots after being cut or broken, creating conditions for long-term exploitation of branches and leaves for many years.

The Ampelopsis cantoniensis has an acrid taste, blends with sweetness, fragrant yet easy-to-drink taste and is very effective in treating stomach pain, stomach ulcers and gastric mucosal inflammation due to the flavonoid content contained in the leaves and stems.

This product featuring good quality and special flavour has gained is popularity in many consumers. In addition to creating good quality products, Hoa Bac Commune also promotes this well-known product to other localities citywide as well as nationwide via local trade promotion programs.

This is one of five typical agricultural products in Hoa Vang District that has been granted an intellectual property certificate in mid-2021. With the aim to protect manufacturers and consumers along with ensuring prestige and product brand, the Da Nang People's Committee has assigned the Department of Science and Technology to set up a project to build and protect intellectual property rights for outstanding agricultural products of the city.

By mid-2021, the National Office of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology has granted intellectual property certificates for Hoa Bac’s ampelopsis cantoniensis, Hoa Ninh green-skinned pomelo, Quang Chau sesame dry cake, Tuy Loan rice paper and Hoa Nhon pickled scallion after many stages of rigorous surveying, evaluation and testing. Thereby increasing the opportunity to promote, improve the prestige and quality of the products.

In order to contribute to the development of intellectual property in Da Nang City, the municipal Department of Science and Technology has sketched a program to develop the city's intellectual property by the end of 2030, thereby raising awareness and quality of resources about intellectual property power; encourage and boost activities of creating and establishing intellectual property; improve the efficiency of management, exploitation and development of intellectual property; strengthen the efficiency of enforcement and fight against infringement of intellectual property rights.

Specifically, the Department and related units will cooperate in incubating intellectual property from research ideas to developing intellectual property, forming innovative start-up businesses; supporting exploiting, managing and developing geographical indications, collective marks and OCOP products in the direction of cooperation, link production associated with product consumption along the value chain; supporting the introduction, promotion and trade promotion of the city's intellectual property; supporting to exploit Vietnamese inventions and utility solutions that are protected, foreign inventions are not protected or their protection term expires in Viet Nam.

In addition, the development of post-protection products has been interested due to its practical benefits as well as economic efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to promote management efficiency, continue to invest in technology, and expand production scale to develop product value after intellectual property rights are protected. In this way, products with geographical indications, collective marks in particular and city-specific products, in general, will increase their competitiveness and market development.

Reporting by MINH LE- Translating by T.VY