Vietnam approves action programme to implement ASEAN Economic Community plan

Vietnam's action programme to implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan aims to translate the strategic priorities of the AEC into concrete actions aligned with Vietnam’s development conditions.

Vietnam has approved an action programme to implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan, aiming to deepen regional integration and enhance the country’s role within ASEAN.

Under Decision No. 608/QĐ-TTg, the Prime Minister endorsed the programme for the 2026–2030 period, with orientations extending to 2031–2035 and a longer-term vision to 2045. The initiative seeks to translate the strategic priorities of the AEC into concrete actions aligned with Vietnam’s development conditions.

Vietnam approves action programme to implement ASEAN Economic Community plan -0
A meeting of ASEAN Economic Community Council in 2025. Photo: VNA

The programme focuses on ensuring the full, timely and effective implementation of AEC goals, measures and activities. It underscores the continued refinement of legal frameworks, mechanisms and policies across key areas such as goods and services trade, investment, competition, intellectual property, customs, trade facilitation, logistics, e-commerce, and emerging domains including the digital, green and circular economies, smart cities, and next-generation economic corridors. These efforts aim to align Vietnam’s policies with ASEAN commitments and international practices.

Improving inter-agency coordination and strengthening the capacity of focal agencies involved in AEC cooperation are also key priorities. The programme highlights the need for enhanced consultation and information-sharing between state management bodies and the business community.

A major objective is to help Vietnamese enterprises better capitalise on opportunities in the ASEAN market, expand trade and investment, and integrate more deeply into regional supply chains. At the same time, it calls for raising awareness and improving integration capacity among ministries, sectors, localities, business associations and enterprises, while promoting digital transformation, innovation and sustainable development.

The programme also emphasises the importance of strengthening monitoring, evaluation and supervision mechanisms to ensure transparency, efficiency and timely policy adjustments amid rapidly evolving regional and global landscapes. Implementation of AEC commitments will be closely linked with national development strategies, particularly the socio-economic development strategy for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2045.

Six strategic goals underpin the programme. These include building an action-oriented community towards a single market and production base; fostering sustainability through climate-responsive policies; promoting boldness and innovation; enhancing proactiveness and adaptability; strengthening resilience against shocks, pressures, crises and fluctuations; and ensuring inclusiveness with a people-centred approach.

To realise these goals, the programme outlines a range of measures, including integrating the AEC Strategic Plan into domestic development policies and programmes, improving information and reporting systems, mobilising resources effectively, enhancing institutional capacity, and leveraging ASEAN-led free trade agreements such as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). It also stresses the importance of communication efforts to raise public awareness of the ASEAN Community and its Vision 2045.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

Vietnam accelerates innovation to boost growth, competitiveness

By 2030, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 40 in the GII; raise total social investment in R&D to at least 2% of GDP, with non-State funding accounting for over 60%; increase international scientific publications by an average of 10% annually; and raise the number of patent applications and granted patents by an average of 16-18% annually.

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Vietnam sees high growth prospects

Experts from the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences noted the quality of recent growth as the high growth rate has been recorded against an increasingly higher comparative base.

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam seeks bigger share of global Halal market

Vietnam's Halal exports remain modest at around 900 million USD a year, accounting for less than 1% of the global market. Most exports are still raw agricultural and seafood products. Only around 1,000–1,300 Vietnamese businesses obtained or maintained Halal certification during 2024–2026.

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Hanoi sets up inter-agency mechanism to operate carbon market

Under a decision of the municipal People’s Committee on establishing an inter-agency working group, departments and agencies are responsible for identifying facilities subject to greenhouse gas inventories, developing emissions-reduction plans and studying projects capable of generating carbon credits.

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

Shrimp exports reach 3.3 billion USD in eight months

According to data from the Vietnam Customs cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), shrimp exports reached 478.5 million USD in August, up 4.2% from the same month last year. The eight-month total stood at 3.3 billion USD, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%.

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Russian investors explore opportunities in Vietnam's real estate market

Vietnam is seen as a potential market, with considerable room for growth in real estate, particularly commercial property, compared with some regional markets. Strong Vietnam-Russia ties and opportunities to establish foreign-invested enterprises are also considered favourable for Russian investors.

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

Phu Quoc airport planning adjusted to serve APEC 2027

For 2021-2030, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed bringing forward the investment in a parallel taxiway system and a connecting taxiway north of Runway No. 2 at Phu Quoc International Airport, in order to connect with the aircraft maintenance and repair facility (hangar) planned for the northern area of ​​the airport.

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

Policy, infrastructure emerge as new advantages in FDI attraction

From policy and infrastructure to industrial real estate, Vietnam’s FDI advantages are broadening towards a more integrated production ecosystem, offering investors a stronger combination of conditions for high-value, technology-intensive and long-term projects.

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

Logistics upgrade vital to 1-trillion-USD trade target: experts

As trade expands, systemic bottlenecks across transport networks, warehousing, ports, border gates, and industrial zones are becoming more apparent. Experts emphasise the need to shift from a fragmented, project-by-project approach toward strategic management structured around trade corridors and integrated supply chains.

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Ample room for Vietnam, US to deepen cooperation

Do Ngoc Hung, Trade Counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said what stands out is not only the growth in trade volume but also the increasingly deep economic ties between the two countries.

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

Flexible fiscal policy helps drive economic growth

According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at 2.02 quadrillion VND (77.7 billion USD), equivalent to 80% of the annual estimate and up 16% year-on-year. Domestic revenue reached 1.75 quadrillion VND, accounting for 86.6% of total revenue and rising 16.6%.

Electronic components are produced at a factory in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi's imports surge 41% in first eight months of 2026

Hanoi aims to achieve average annual export growth of at least 12% during 2026-30, with the city seeking to diversify export markets, boost high-tech and value-added products and reduce reliance on traditional markets.