S-RIVER has joined the Asoka Creative Experimentation Fund (ACEF) as an official sponsor of the Collection of Intellectual Property Cases in Vietnam, a flagship publication project for 2026. Under this sponsorship, S-RIVER provides support in the categories of Book Cover Design and Sponsor Edition Layouts.
S-River is a creative consultancy specializing in brand identity strategy, visual identity systems, packaging design, and corporate communication. Founded in 2018 by designer Trịnh Thu Trang, S-River is widely recognized for pioneering the integration of Vietnamese indigenous materials into contemporary design, contributing to the formation of a distinct Vietnamese style.
The company expresses its mission as follows:
“Our aspiration is that when people think of Vietnam, they think of a land of trusted partners, high-quality brands, and culturally rich materials. Vietnamese brands and products deserve not only professional and effective design, but design that carries the unique local identity of our country.”
Guided by this mission, S-River has become a leading force in rediscovering, renewing, and applying traditional Vietnamese motifs to modern design. Each creation by S-River carries a Vietnamese spirit that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
S-River originated from the long-term research project “Vietnamese Palettes from Hàng Trống Folk Paintings”. Led by founder Trinh Thu Trang and her collaborators, the project was carried out over 11 years, involving the collection, preservation, and development of traditional Hàng Trống patterns and motifs. Its goal was to bring Vietnam’s unique cultural identity into contemporary design, thereby contributing to national branding and the country’s broader cultural development.
The project was nominated for the WeChoice Awards 2018 and was honored by Vietnam National Television (VTV1) in the 2024 “Cất Cánh” program.
S-River is a tireless advocate for the preservation and elevation of Vietnamese folk art.
ACEF, as a science and technology development fund, is committed to empowering creative and intellectual property initiatives that advance Vietnamese cultural and academic value.
This shared mission forms the foundation of the partnership between S-River and ACEF. From 2023 to 2026, ACEF has curated and developed Vietnam’s first bilingual, academically structured IP casebook series. S-River contributed by studying motifs from its “Vietnamese Palettes” project and applying them to the covers of the two volumes, ensuring the books present themselves to the world with a clearly Vietnamese identity.
This volume is designed by S-RIVER with a blue background. In many cultural and spiritual traditions, blue is associated with the “throat chakra” (Vishuddha), located at the center of the neck. This chakra represents communication, self-expression, intellect, and truth, which are also the key values of creativity and the core essence of copyright.
The five-colored cloud motif represents imagination, elevation, and the poetic essence of artistic creation.
The lotus flower symbolizes purity, resilience, and the cultural identity of Vietnam. It is immediately recognizable throughout the world as a Vietnamese cultural symbol.
The fingerprint pattern signifies uniqueness and the individuality inherent in every creative work.
With its focus on judicial decisions relating to industrial property rights, a field closely connected to commercial development and industrialisation, the book cover is designed in a vibrant, modern yellow. In many cultural and spiritual traditions, yellow is associated with the “solar plexus chakra,” which symbolizes personal power, self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
Motifs of the buffalo and rice fields allude to Vietnam’s ancient wet-rice civilization.
Gears and lightbulbs symbolize industrial machinery and innovation, which are central to industrial property rights.
The blue and orange palette also reflects the signature brand colors of Asoka Law, the governing entity of ACEF.
All motifs used in the book covers were inspired by traditional Hàng Trống folk paintings.
S-River has been a pioneering supporter since the earliest days of the project. ACEF extends its sincere appreciation to S-River for standing at the intersection of culture, creativity, and intellectual property, and for helping ensure that this casebook series carries both academic rigor and a distinctively Vietnamese aesthetic identity.
For Vietnamese intellectual property to flourish globally, the support of visionary individuals and organizations is essential. Through collective dedication and shared commitment, a creative Vietnam can confidently step into the global arena, where new opportunities will continue to open for Vietnamese enterprises and creators.
Written by: Thanh Kim, ACEF.
Founded with the mission “Born from IP. Built for IP”, the Asoka Creative Experimentation Fund (ACEF) serves as a bridge that transforms intellectual property policies into practical, creative projects within Vietnam and across the world.
Subscribe for Updates:
