Vietnam’s joining of free trade agreements (FTAs) is quite suitable in the context of trade globalization. However, to promote the efficiency of boosting exports, a concerted policy system is needed to help businesses successfully take advantage of benefits brought by the FTAs, according to insiders.
A survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) shows that the rate of taking advantage of FTA benefits by Vietnamese enterprises is falling.
Businesses attributed the fall to shortcomings in State offices’ enforcement of policies, strict rules of origin, and their lack of information about commitments and how to take full advantage of the FTAs. Many also acknowledged that their firms’ competitiveness is weaker than that of partners whose countries are also members of the FTAs.
The garment and textile sector is considered one of those taking the most advantage of FTA benefits in Vietnam. However, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Textile and Garment - Embroidery Association Pham Xuan Hong said that the sector only succeeds in doing so with the Republic of Korea, while the rates with other partners remain low.
The reason is that different FTAs have different requirements on rules of origin, Hong elaborated, adding that many FTAs request clarification of origin of yarn, while Vietnam mainly imports materials from China.
According to experts, the rate of enterprises bringing into full play the FTAs has been improved remarkably, from 10% at first to 38% at present. However, it is not enough to equilibrate the trade balance with partners.
They said that together with tariff reduction, new-generation FTAs include strict regulations on technical standards, source of origin, and intellectual property, which have made Vietnamese enterprises fail to be adaptive to these agreements.
To meet expectations when joining FTAs, Vietnam should carry out measures in a concerted way to increase competitiveness of exporters, experts said.
Pham Quynh Mai, deputy head of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, suggested businesses take the initiative in accessing information about the FTAs and their contents to make use of rules on origin in a systematic and effective manner.
Enterprises should also improve technology and increase product quality, as all kinds of products which hope to enjoy tariff incentives and be welcomed by consumers must meet all quality and technical requirements committed, Mai added.
Nguyen Thi Tue Anh, deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), said that the small scale is a week point of Vietnamese enterprises, so they are incapable of meeting big orders.
She suggested they connect with others in the same sector to share orders, or cooperate with multi-national groups and businesses to bring opportunities into full play to participate in the regional and global supply chains.
Besides efforts of enterprises, the Vietnamese Government should focus on supporting enterprises to export their strong products by guiding them to implement rules of origin and simplifying procedures of certification and specific inspections, experts advised.
More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.
Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.
Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.
As many agricultural businesses continue to face challenges in finding stable outlets, modern retail systems are increasingly becoming key distribution channels helping Vietnamese products access the market more professionally.
For biofuels, particularly E10, to develop successfully, stronger and more coordinated policies are needed, especially pricing mechanisms capable of creating a sufficiently attractive gap between E10 and mineral-based petrol, an expert has said.
A recent PM directive set a May 10 deadline for ministries, agencies and localities to complete detailed allocations of the 2026 public investment capital plan.
A Party official has urged the Vietnamese business community to improve corporate governance, technological capacity, production standards, workforce quality and international connectivity to strengthen ties with the FDI sector.
The White Book provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s current tax system in line with international practices, including direct taxes, indirect taxes and sector-specific levies.
The 12th Africa Forum for Investment & Commerce (AFIC 12) opened in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on May 9, drawing around 2,000 participants, including officials, economists, businesses, financial and development organizagtions from 43 African countries and international partners, including Vietnam.
According to Dr. Bui Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Office of the Private Economic Development Research Board under the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, Resolution 68 has helped foster a stronger entrepreneurial spirit through a series of concrete policy measures.
Consolidated first-quarter 2025 statements from Vietcombank, VietinBank and BIDV showed that the Treasury’s total deposit balance at the three lenders rose by nearly 39% compared with the end of 2025.
Vietnam targets 1 million one-person businesses, 5 million business entities, 10,000 tech startups, 45 startup support networks, a position among the world’s top 40 innovation ecosystems, and 1.5 billion USD in venture capital by 2030.
The exhibition, which runs until May 9 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition, showcases advanced products and technologies across a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, drug manufacturing machinery and equipment, medical devices, hospital and clinic services and dental equipment.
The province is tightening maritime governance, with a focus on May–June 2026 to finalise a more robust legal framework and close loopholes for illegal fishing.
Leading the charge in this massive building spree is the new central city square in the core of the Thu Thiem new urban area. Spanning more than 20 ha, it’s the crown jewel of the Central Square and new administrative center complex.
The country’s stable political and economic environment provides a critical foundation for long-term sourcing strategies. At the same time, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong ability to scale up manufacturing, supported by a continuously expanding industrial base capable of meeting both high-volume demand and increasingly complex technical and quality requirements.
The update by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to its Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) on April 10, officially setting out import conditions for Vietnamese pomelos, is regarded as a major milestone in market access efforts.
Structured in two steps and three phases, the roadmap envisions a gradual shift from partial to full relocation of international flights, aligned with infrastructure readiness and the long-term ambition of building a regional aviation hub.
The circular economy is no longer just a policy choice. It has become an inevitable trend for delivering sustainable and green growth, sharpening competitiveness at home and abroad, and meeting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. It is now a prerequisite to sustain long-term economic expansion, particularly in industrial production and supporting industries.
Vietnamese fresh produce and processed foods are increasingly recognised for their quality, with items such as cashew nuts, coffee and spices gaining popularity among Middle East consumers. In 2025, Vietnam’s farm produce exports to the UAE exceeded 445 million USD, up nearly 24% year-on-year.