Vietnam - EU economic and trade forum 2025: “New drivers of growth”

The Forum was also attended by several Ambassadors and Consuls General of EU member states, representatives of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, leaders of EuroCham, delegates from provincial and municipal People’s Committees, Vietnamese Trade Offices in the EU, business associations, and domestic and international organizations.

Over the years, the Forum has become an annual, multi-dimensional policy dialogue channel, providing in-depth insights from experts on: (i) market outlook amid fast-changing and unpredictable global economic and trade developments; (ii) assessments of intertwined opportunities and challenges; and (iii) policy recommendations to enable timely adaptation and optimal market utilization. It also explored directions for strengthening cooperation and investment attraction in emerging and potential sectors. The event further served as an opportunity to review five years of EVFTA implementation and discuss strategies to maximize its benefits moving forward.

In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang highly appreciated the growth outcomes and positive shifts in Vietnam – EU economic and trade cooperation after five years of EVFTA enforcement, despite global headwinds and disruptions in supply chains, trade, and economic activities.

Emphasizing the pivotal role of the Agreement, the Deputy Minister stated that the EVFTA has not only boosted trade and diversified markets but, more importantly, supported economic restructuring, institutional reform, improvement of the business and investment environment, and expansion of cooperation with the EU in new priority areas such as green economy, digital economy, energy transition, and sustainable development.

These are focal areas in EU policy and align with current global development trends as well as Vietnam’s socio-economic development strategy. However, to sustain achievements and realize new cooperation opportunities, both the Government and the business community must make strong, coordinated efforts amid an increasingly complex and unpredictable global economy, characterized by prolonged geopolitical instability, rising protectionism, and slower growth. The ongoing global economic restructuring process requires Vietnam, as a highly open economy, to rapidly adapt and proactively participate in shaping new supply and value chains.

Speaking at the Forum, Spanish Ambassador Carmen Cano de Lasala and Danish Chargé d’Affaires Lasse Pedersen Hjortshøj highly valued their relations with Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam is a key partner of the EU within ASEAN. They expressed confidence in new growth drivers for trade and investment between the two sides under EVFTA preferences, transforming shared ambitions for sustainable development into tangible cooperation in energy, circular economy, and agriculture.

Representing the EU business community in Vietnam, Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Vice President of EuroCham, noted that amid supply chain realignments triggered by new global trade tariffs, European businesses regard Vietnam as a strategic market offering significant advantages for trade diversification. He underlined Vietnam’s enduring appeal as a sustainable production and investment hub. In fact, 76% of European business leaders currently consider Vietnam an attractive investment destination, and 80% expect conditions to improve further in the next five years. EuroCham reaffirmed its commitment to remain a trusted partner in promoting trade and fostering a dynamic, sustainable investment environment in Vietnam.

From the perspective of Dutch enterprises, Johan van den Ban, CEO of De Heus Vietnam & Asia, praised Vietnam’s competitiveness and supply capabilities, sharing practical experiences and strategic adjustments aimed at building autonomous, integrated, and sustainable supply chains, alongside project expansion plans in Vietnam. He emphasized that this trend is becoming a global necessity, and that green production practices and corporate environmental and social responsibility must be strengthened to ensure long-term resilience and competitiveness.

Discussions also focused on global and bilateral trade issues directly affecting Vietnam – EU relations, particularly new U.S. tariff policies and the implementation of EU’s green and sustainable trade regulations, including CBAM, CS3D, and EUDR. Both domestic and international experts analyzed their implications and provided specific recommendations for businesses. Meeting sustainability requirements was viewed as a catalyst for new development opportunities, particularly in green finance. Through cooperation with leading financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and EU development agencies, both sides are gradually building a financial ecosystem to support green transition and ESG implementation, facilitating deeper enterprise and investor participation in sustainable development projects in Vietnam.

Through the valuable exchanges of experts, consultancy organizations, and vibrant discussions among delegates, the Forum reaffirmed its role as an effective platform for policy dialogue, information exchange, and partnership networking between Vietnam and the EU.