European Union

European investments are gravitating towards emerging sectors such as clean energy, high technology and logistics, with the aim of positioning Vietnam as a regional transhipment hub.

The EU is among the world’s top three importers of farm produce, but Vietnam holds only a 2% share – still modest compared to its agricultural production capacity and potential, which indicates vast growth potential in the EU if backed by a proper strategy.

Five years on, the EVFTA has proven to be an effective framework for cooperation, helping strengthen trust, boost trade, and deliver tangible benefits for both sides, Guerrier said, stressing that the EU remains committed to partnering with Vietnam on its journey toward a green and sustainable future.

Despite these headwinds, the deal has proven highly effective, pushing Vietnam to the top of the EU’s trading partners in Southeast Asia and the EU as Vietnam’s fourth largest trading partner globally, with electronics, apparel, and footwear driving the country’s ascent in the global value chain.

Since the EVFTA kicked in, trade between Vietnam and the EU jumped 46.5% to 64.6 billion USD through 2024, up from 44.1 billion USD in the prior five years, Vietnam Customs data showed.

Vietnam officially became the 107th country to join the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on the Exchange of Country-by-Country Reports (CbC MCAA), meaning the EU will not apply any tax or non-tax defensive measures against the Southeast Asian nation.

The European Union (EU)'s investment in Vietnam now tops 30.4 billion USD, ranking as the sixth largest foreign investor in Vietnam. Two-way trade hit 68.5 billion USD last year.

To succeed in exports via official channels, Vietnamese businesses need to identify target markets, research standards and regulations, and assess their own capabilities to develop effective strategies.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) poses challenges for Vietnam's rubber industry, but it also opens doors to new opportunities.

A conference on green transformation in agricultural and food production for EU market expansion convened on November 13 to explore Vietnam’s potential in environmentally friendly production, with experts proposing strategic measures to support sustainable, EU-compliant exports.

Vietnam and the European Union (EU) are key partners in green transition and sustainable development, said participants at a plenary session of the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition (GEFE 2024) jointly organised in Ho Chi Minh City on October 21 by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

A forum on seizing opportunities from the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and changes in the logistics industry to support Vietnam’s exports to the European Union (EU) market, was held by the European-American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in Ho Chi Minh City on September 23.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held a national forum on promoting the Vietnam – EU partnership and sustainable development in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21, aiming to bolster the cooperation between Vietnamese businesses and the EU market.

Vietnam has exported around 200 billion USD worth of goods to the European Union (EU) over the past four years after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) officially came into force on August 1, 2020.

August 1, 2020, marked a significant milestone for Vietnam and the European Union (EU) as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect. Four years on, Vietnam stands tall as the leading ASEAN exporter to the EU, reaping the benefits of a thriving economic partnership that has spurred economic growth, job creation, and consumer access to premium European products.

The EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has strengthened Vietnam's attractiveness for European investors, stated a survey by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) on July 31.

European businesses are currently the sixth largest investor in Vietnam, and they wish to further develop partnerships to move closer to the No. 1 position in the coming years.

Vietnam's instant noodles will be exempted from food safety control in the EU starting from July 2, as they have met related regulations,

A delegation from the European Union (EU), the Netherlands, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore held a working session with leaders of the northern province of Thai Nguyen on May 16 to explore potential investment opportunities in the province.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE), in collaboration with the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (Vietnam SPS), held a conference disseminating regulations on imports of agricultural products and foods of plant and animal origin into the EU market on May 7.