Investment chances in Vietnam, especially once the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) takes effect, were introduced to Italian entrepreneurs at a workshop in Rome on November 9.
President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) Michele D’Ercole and ICHAM Executive Director Pham Hoang Hai informed local investors about Vietnam’s economy at present, including the positive economic growth and foreign investment attraction.
Participants were provided with concrete information about the fields Vietnam is prioritising while Italy holds strength in, along with cooperation prospects and investment chances once the EVFTA is ratified and comes into force. They were also given details of Vietnam’s investment attraction policies and procedures.
ICHAM President Michele D’Ercole told Vietnam News Agency that the Southeast Asian nation has enjoyed growth in both industrial products and foreign investment in recent years.
He noted compared to other ASEAN countries, Vietnam boasts many advantages to attract foreign direct investment, with political stability the biggest strength. While about 60% of its population are of working age, low labour cost is also a competitive edge of the country. Vietnam is stepping up training to improve its human resources quality to meet foreign investors’ demand. It is also promoting measures to enhance its competitiveness in different sectors like high technology and renewable energy.
Michele D’Ercole said Italy is very interested in the EVFTA, which will take effect in the near future. At that time, Italian firms will have a number of opportunities to cooperate with Vietnam in the fields they are strong at.
The reduction of tariffs to zero percent under this deal will facilitate bilateral trade. Italy can export numerous commodities to Vietnam such as machines, wood products, fabric and garment, and assist Vietnamese partners to manufacture many items like footwear, leather products, fabric and medical and chemical products. Italian companies can also make use of their scientific and technological strengths to help Vietnam develop some sectors, especially agriculture, he added.
Regarding measures to foster economic links, Trade Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy Nguyen Duc Thanh said the two countries set up the strategic partnership in 2013. They also established a joint economic committee to bolster bilateral cooperation and investment. Despite a continuous growth over the past year, their trade turnover has yet to fully reflect the potential of their businesses.
He suggested both sides increase mutual high-ranking visits to warm up the strategic partnership as well as relations between all-level authorities and sectors. They should also boost economic ties between their localities, for example the cooperation deal between Veneto region and Ba Ria – Vung Tau province or the one between some construction stone mining areas of Italy and Yen Bai province. Additionally, it is needed to tighten connections between the countries’ industries and businesses.
Italy is now the fourth biggest European economic partner of Vietnam. Bilateral trade approximated US$5 billion in 2017. With total capital of US$389 million, Italy ranks 31st among 126 countries and territories directly investing in the ASEAN nation.
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.
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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.