How Do I Register My Music Copyright in Vietnam? (Step-by-Step Guide for Independent Artists)

Music copyright in Vietnam is protected automatically — but automatic protection does not always hold up when a dispute arises.

Disclaimer: This Article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace legal advice for specific situations.

 TL;DR

In Vietnam, Copyright and Related rights arise automatically the moment a work is created and fixed — you do not need to register to be legally protected. However, if a rights holder registers their work with the Copyright Office of Vietnam, they are not required to prove ownership in a dispute — this is a significant legal advantage that most independent artists overlook.

This article walks you through every step to file a copyright registration for your Musical Work at the Copyright Office of Vietnam on your own.

 What Is Music Copyright Registration?

In simple terms, music copyright registration means proactively filing paperwork with the Copyright Office of Vietnam to receive a Copyright Registration Certificate / Related Rights Registration Certificate — an official document confirming that you are the creator of a song or the producer of a specific sound recording.

Registration is not mandatory. Under Vietnamese intellectual property law, copyright arises automatically the moment a work is fixed in a tangible form [1] — i.e., when you finish writing the melody or lyrics. You do not need to register to "have" or "own" copyright.

So why register? In today's digital environment, a melody can spread overnight — and the faster music goes viral, the higher the risk of unauthorized copying or ownership disputes. When a dispute arises — for example, another party claims ownership of your music — the Certificate will reverse the burden of proof: instead of you having to prove the song is yours, the other party must prove it is not [2].

In addition, registration helps you:

• Establish a clear legal basis when working with brands, licensing partners, or digital platforms.
• Prove the date of creation — especially important for works that have not yet been publicly released.
• Strengthen your professional credibility within the music industry ecosystem.

Two key concepts to distinguish:

→ Independent artists typically register for Copyright. If you are a composer who also self-produces the recording, you can register both.

Step-by-step registration process for Copyright and Related rights

The following is the complete process for registering Copyright for Musical Work and Related rights for Sound Recordings and Audiovisual Recordings under current Vietnamese law, updated per Decree 17/2023/ND-CP as amended by Decree 134/2026/ND-CP (effective 09/04/2026) and Circular 08/2026/TT-BVHTTDL (effective 22/04/2026).

Total processing time: approximately 37 working days (if the application is valid on first submission)

Step 0 — Identify Which Right You Are Registering

Before preparing any documents, clarify which type of right you need:

• Copyright: for songwriters and lyricists — protects melody and lyrics
• Related Rights: for record producers and performing artists — protects a specific sound recording or audiovisual recording

If you both compose and self-produce the recording, you may register both — but each requires a separate application.

Step 1 — Prepare Your Documents

A. Registering Copyright (Musical Work — melody and lyrics)

Mandatory application package (1 set) [3]:

• Declaration form: Use Form No. 04 issued under Circular 08/2026/TT-BVHTTDL. Download from the e-Government Portal at dichvucong.bvhttdl.gov.vn, or complete the online form directly when filing. The form must be signed or thumbprinted by the rights holder themselves.
• 2 copies of the work: Sheet music (musical notes in a score or equivalent musical notation) — including an electronic copy. Note: current law requires Musical Works to be expressed as musical notes in a score or other musical notation.
• 1 copy of National ID (CCCD) or Passport (for individuals); or Business Registration Certificate / Establishment Decision (for organizations) — must be valid
• If the song's lyrics are in a language other than Vietnamese: include a Vietnamese-language description of the content [4].

B. Registering Related Rights (Sound Recording or Audiovisual Recording)

Mandatory application package (1 set) [3]:

• Declaration form: Use Form No. 09 issued under Circular 08/2026/TT-BVHTTDL. The form must be signed or thumbprinted by the rights holder themselves.
• 2 copies of the fixed recording: Audio or video file containing the sound recording or audiovisual recording (USB or CD) — including an electronic copy.
• 1 copy of National ID (CCCD) or Passport (for individuals); or Business Registration Certificate / Establishment Decision (for organizations) — must be valid
• If the title of the recording is in a language other than Vietnamese: include a Vietnamese-language description of the content [4].

Supplementary documents (where applicable — for both Copyright and Related Rights):

• Co-authors or co-owners: written consent from all co-authors and co-owners (if the rights are jointly owned)
• Authorized representative filing on your behalf: notarized power of attorney (for individuals)
• Derivative work: name of the original author and source work in the declaration form
• If the rights holder is not the author — include supporting documents to prove ownership, depending on the basis of ownership:
  • Assignment by task or employment contract: a decision or written confirmation assigning the creative task to the individual within the organization; or a contract, competition rules, or event regulations. Where the author is not simultaneously the rights holder: a written declaration by the author confirming independent creation and creation under an assignment or contract [3].
  • Transfer of rights: a written assignment, donation, purchase, or capital contribution agreement in accordance with applicable law [3].
  • Inheritance: a notarized or certified document establishing inheritance rights [3].

 Step 2 — File Online to Obtain a Reference Code

Go to dichvucong.bvhttdl.gov.vn and follow these steps:

1. Log in. From 01/07/2024, individual applicants must log in using a VNeID account (Vietnam's national digital ID issued by the Ministry of Public Security). Organizations use a digital signing USB token or SIM.
2. Select the correct procedure. Search for "Copyright Office of Vietnam" → select the appropriate procedure → click "Submit Application":
   • Copyright: select "Issue Copyright Registration Certificate"
   • Related Rights: select "Issue Related Rights Registration Certificate"
3. Enter applicant information. Fill in your personal details (ID number, address, phone number, email). If filing under a power of attorney, select the relevant authorization option in the form.
4. Select work type and attach documents. Select the applicable category — the system will display the corresponding required attachments:
   • Copyright — Musical Work: select "Musical Work" (Form No. 04) → attach the scanned sheet music (PDF) and any supplementary documents.
   • Related Rights — Sound Recording / Audiovisual Recording: select "Sound Recording, Audiovisual Recording" → attach the audio/video file (or a scan of the disc/USB label) and any supplementary documents.
5. Complete the electronic declaration form. Click "Electronic Declaration" → fill in all details about the Musical Work or recording (title, completion date, content summary, publication status, etc.) → click "Save Form" → "Close Form".
6. Choose how to receive your Certificate. Select collection in person at the Authority, or delivery by post (provide your address).
7. Enter the verification code and submit. Enter the verification code accurately → click "Save Application" → "Submit Application". The system will confirm success and display your Reference Code (format: G16.15-240923-0015).
   • After receiving your reference code, write it in pencil on the first page of your paper declaration form (or on an attached sticky note). This allows the Authority's staff to match your online submission to the paper file when it arrives. Missing this code will delay processing.

Note: common technical issues when filing online

• Fields containing special characters (*, ', ?, >, %) → remove them before submitting
• Incorrect verification code → check each character carefully
• Phone number not working → use an active number
• System errors → contact the Authority's IT helpdesk: 0919 426 297

Step 3 — Submit Your Paper File to the Copyright Office of Vietnam

After obtaining your reference code, send 1 complete paper set (with the reference code noted on the declaration form) to one of the following offices:

Submission options: walk-in | courier (keep your proof of delivery). Government filing fee: VND 100,000 per Certificate [6]

 Step 4 — Processing and Receiving Your Certificate

Processing timeline under Decree 134/2026/ND-CP (effective 09/04/2026):

 Common Misconceptions

❌ Misconception: Uploading to Spotify or YouTube is sufficient to prove ownership.

• Reality: The upload date may serve as a reference point, but it does not constitute legal proof of ownership. In the event of a dispute, you still bear the burden of proving your rights. A Copyright / Related Rights Registration Certificate is an important legal basis that significantly reduces that burden.

❌ Misconception: Copyright is automatically protected, so registration is unnecessary.

• Reality: Copyright does arise automatically when a work is created and fixed. However, without registration, proving your rights in a dispute can be difficult. Registration is not a condition for rights to arise — but it is an effective tool for protecting them.

❌ Misconception: Submitting the online form on the e-Government Portal is all you need to do.

• Reality: Online submission typically only creates and initiates the application. In most cases, you still need to complete and deliver a paper file to the Authority for the registration to be fully processed.

❌ Misconception: Music created with AI tools is protected by copyright in the same way as any other music.

• Reality: Under current legal developments — in particular Decree 134/2026/ND-CP — copyright only arises where there is a human creative contribution. For content generated entirely by AI, the likelihood of protection is very limited. The determination of rights will depend on the degree of human creative involvement in the process.

See EMVN Music Law Hub for more on "AI-Generated Music" [7].

Who Should Register, and When?

Here are the most common situations for independent artists in Vietnam:

🎵 Artist about to release their first single or album

• Register before the release date. This is the optimal time, as the work has not yet been widely distributed — reducing the risk of ownership disputes. The process typically takes ~37 working days, so plan your filing date accordingly.

🎵 Artist who has released multiple works but has never registered

• Registration is still possible — the law does not require works to be unpublished.
• Prioritize works currently being commercially exploited or those most at risk of dispute.

🎵 Artist composing beats or backing music for others on commission

• Clarify ownership first: if a copyright assignment agreement is already in place, ownership belongs to the assignee, not the creator.
• If no written assignment agreement exists, copyright typically remains with the creator. Ownership should be clarified in writing before proceeding with any registration.

Risks and Common Mistakes

The most frequent reasons applications are rejected or delayed:

• Missing sheet music — the most common issue for young artists who use technology but have not converted their work into sheet music.
• Missing co-author consent: where multiple people contributed to the creation of the work, the application must include written consent from all parties.
• Inconsistency between online and paper applications: discrepancies between the online submission and the paper file may result in a request for amendment or delayed processing.
• Work subject to an active legal dispute: the Authority may suspend processing until a binding legal decision is issued.
• Missing required supplementary documents: for example, if the song's lyrics are in a foreign language, a Vietnamese-language content description may be required.

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REFERENCES

[1] Copyright arises automatically when a work is created and fixed in a tangible form, without requiring any registration formality. Basis: Article 6(1), Intellectual Property Law 2005 (amended 2022).

[2] A holder of a Copyright Registration Certificate is not required to prove ownership in a dispute, unless there is evidence to the contrary. Basis: Article 49(3), Intellectual Property Law 2005 (amended 2022).

[3] Application components for copyright and related rights registration. Basis: Article 18, Decree 134/2026/ND-CP, inserting Article 39a after Article 39 of Decree 17/2023/ND-CP.

[4] Works containing content in a language other than Vietnamese must include a Vietnamese-language description. Basis: Article 43, Decree 17/2023/ND-CP as amended by Article 16(6), Decree 134/2026/ND-CP.

[5] 22-working-day review period. Basis: Article 16, Decree 134/2026/ND-CP, amending certain provisions of Article 38 of Decree 17/2023/ND-CP.

[6] Government fee for issuing a Copyright / Related Rights Registration Certificate. Basis: Circular 211/2016/TT-BTC dated 10/11/2016, Ministry of Finance.

[7] Conditions for copyright in works created with AI assistance. Basis: Article 5a, Decree 17/2023/ND-CP, inserted by Article 4, Decree 134/2026/ND-CP dated 06/04/2026.