In this 16th annual poll of 10 outstanding science and technology (S&T) events, the Vietnam Science and Technology Journalists Club selected Luc Ngan lychee and Binh Thuan dragon fruit to be protected geographical indication in Japan is the typical event of international cooperation in science and technology of the year.

This choice is more good news for the managers of S&T and agriculture as well as the two provinces of Bac Giang and Binh Thuan, but it is not too surprising, because in the past year, these two products have also received a lot of attention from the scientific media. It has been mentioned many times since Japan granted geographical indication protection.

Previously, on March 16, 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries granted a Geographical Indication Protection Certificate for Luc Ngan lychee of Bac Giang province. This is the first agricultural product of Vietnam to be granted a Geographical Indication Certificate in Japan. The grant of a geographical indication protection certificate creates favorable conditions for Luc Ngan litchi to be exported to Japan and expanded to other markets with similar strict import regulations.

Announcement about lychee Luc Ngan, Bac Giang of Vietnam granted the Certificate of Geographical Indication No. 107 in Japan.

Announced information about Binh Thuan dragon fruit of Vietnam granted Geographical Indication Certificate No. 110 in Japan.

After Luc Ngan lychee, on October 7, 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries continued to grant a Geographical Indication Protection Certificate for Binh Thuan dragon fruit. The protection of geographical indications in Japan means affirming the prestige of Binh Thuan dragon fruit in the Japanese market, and opening up many new opportunities for the export and consumption of Binh Thuan dragon fruit in many markets, especially in fastidious markets (Europe, Korea, New Zealand and etc.).

The successful export of Luc Ngan lychee and Binh Thuan dragon fruit to the difficult Japanese market shows the important role of intellectual property - a supporting tool for Vietnamese products to have more competitive advantages. and export, especially agricultural products. Luc Ngan lychee was granted a geographical indication by the National Office of Intellectual Property in Vietnam in 2008, and Binh Thuan dragon fruit was granted in 2006. Since then, the reputation of the products has been protected, developed and increased. prestige, value and is an important preparatory step for the registration of geographical indication protection in Japan.

Mr. Dinh Huu Phi, Director of the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam, Ministry of Science and Technology, said that the successful registration of geographical indications for the two agricultural products mentioned above in Japan is the result of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding Cooperation between the National Office of Intellectual Property and the Food Industry Agency of Japan on the commitment to promote the protection of geographical indications of the two countries. Through the registration of geographical indications for protection of geographical indications of Luc Ngan lychee and Binh Thuan dragon fruit in Japan, the National Office of Intellectual Property has gained a lot of valuable experiences in supporting Vietnam's local specialties to reach the top out to the world. This is considered an activity that the NOIP is and will continue to make efforts to do. Thereby, helping the regional specialties associated with the place names of Vietnam to be protected by a relatively strong protection mechanism that is the protection of geographical indications.

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