The European Parliament (EP)'s Committee on International Trade (INTA) on October 10 held an opening hearing on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).
Addressing the event, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the hearing Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh said Vietnam is integrating into the world as it has joined many international conventions and has trade partnerships with many countries.
Amid increasing protectionism, Vietnam firmly supports multilateral relations based on consistent principles, he stressed.
While confirming Vietnam and the EU are big partners, Khanh said the EU has supported Vietnam in promoting development and reducing poverty, and that the two sides are moving towards a more comprehensive relationship.
He noted the benefits brought by the agreements, from boosting trade exchange and fostering investment of European countries into various spheres, to helping Vietnam improve its standards to conform with international ones.
Helena König, Chief Negotiator and Deputy Director General for European Trade highlighted the importance of FTA and IPA between the EU and Vietnam, and affirmed Vietnam's attractiveness, with its growing economic strength and a market of 95 million people.
As Vietnam has signed many FTAs with partners across the world, König said the EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) will help European businesses enhance competitiveness in Vietnam.
The IPA will help protect European investors doing business in Vietnam, she said, adding Vietnam's commitments will better protect labourers' rights, protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
At the event, many speakers mentioned the benefits brought by the agreements and expected Vietnam's ratification of a new Labour Law in 2019 will serve as a legal basis for the ratification of the three fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the future, contributing to enhancing global integration capacity.
They said EVFTA is a good opportunity to expand EU-Vietnam cooperation in forest and environment protection, as well as increase export opportunities for green products.
In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) Nicolas Audier said the hearing was satisfactory as the two sides delivered clear messages.
He noted Vietnam has made spectacular progress in many fields, especially socio-economic development over the last 30 years.
Under the roadmap, the EC will send a dossier to the European Council to ask for authorisation to sign the EVFTA.
After signing, the agreement will be submitted to the European Parliament (EP) for approval. The EP can adopt the agreement ahead of the new European parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2019.
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.