On 4 December, EuroCham Vietnam welcomed the EU Delegation’s Trade Team to our HCMC office for a series of in-depth meetings with EuroCham’s Sector Committees. The delegation was led by Mr. Ulrich Weigl (Head of Trade Section), alongside Mr. Laurent Lourdais (Deputy Head), Mr. Ky Anh Le (Economist & Trade Specialist), and Mr. Loisel Cyril (First Secretary).
EuroCham was represented by Mr. Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Vice Chairman in charge of Advocacy; Ms. Delphine Rousselet, Executive Director; Ms. Van Nguyen, Head of Hanoi Office & External Relations Manager; and leadership from the relevant Sector Committees.
Discussions spanned a wide range of trade and regulatory issues: from green growth, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, to food safety, agriculture, automotive, digital policy, wine and spirits.
Across all sessions, EuroCham and the EU Delegation reaffirmed their shared commitment to transparent dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and a stable, predictable business environment for European companies in Việt Nam. These meetings mark an important step in strengthening cooperation and advancing solutions across multiple strategic sectors.
Pharmaceuticals & European Standard Medicines
The EU Delegation met with the European Standard Medicines Sector Committee (ESM) and Pharma Group to discuss key regulatory bottlenecks in the pharmaceutical landscape.
ESM Chairman Mr. Gregory Charitonos, together with Vice-Chairs Mr. Aleksandrs Parfjonovs and Ms. Magdalena Krakowiak, highlighted:
- Procurement restrictions on Foreign-Invested Enterprises (FIEs)
- Delays and unpredictability in drug registration
- Obligations for technology transfer when seeking market access
- The need for a fairer, more transparent licensing and approval system
Ms. Thuy Nguyen, Pharma Group Director, updated the Delegation on new developments under the Pharmaceutical Law, its guiding regulations, and the National Reimbursement Drug List.
Pharma Group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Vietnam through:
- Regulatory convergence
- Information sharing
- Capacity building
The EU Delegation noted concerns about the lack of official tracking for dossier approvals and the perceived link between approval speed and technology-transfer commitments. Both sides agreed on the need for greater transparency, predictability, and recognition of generics in strengthening patient access and encouraging long-term EU investment.
Cosmetics
Ms. Mai Tran, Co-Chairwoman of the Cosmetics Sector Committee, presented detailed concerns about the draft Decree on Cosmetics Management—particularly:
- Excessive administrative steps for pre- and post-market procedures
- Mandatory labelling requirements that pose disproportionate burdens
The EU Delegation reported that the European Commission has already assigned a dedicated case team and that a formal letter has been sent to the Vietnamese Prime Minister.
Medical Devices
MDDSC Chairman Fabian Singer acknowledged Việt Nam’s progress toward its first Medical Device Law but highlighted ongoing challenges:
- Unpredictable regulatory changes in a heavily import-dependent market
- Centralised procurement limiting hospital autonomy
- Lack of reimbursement pathways for advanced technologies
The EU Delegation expressed readiness to support policymaking and encouraged the Committee to propose baseline principles to inform ongoing engagements.
Food, Agriculture & Aqua Business (FAABS)
The FAABS leadership outlined key priorities, including:
- Combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- Recognition of international testing results
- Reducing reliance on in vivo testing
- Strengthening sustainable agricultural value chains
- Advancing EVFTA implementation
FAABS recommended establishing WOAH/OIE-aligned disease-free zones and accepting EU-recognised analytical data to avoid unnecessary testing burdens.
The EU Delegation will follow up internally and raise the issues with relevant authorities.
Mobility
The Mobility Working Group raised key challenges for EU automotive companies:
- Delays in EVFTA implementation affecting importation of vehicle parts
- Proposed fuel-consumption limits for cars and motorcycles
- Taxation concerns
- Restrictions in Low Emission Zones (LEZs)
The EU Delegation shared that the issues have been raised with the EU Trade Commissioner and Việt Nam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment, with positive signals for upcoming solutions. Both sides committed to continued dialogue on green transition measures and fair taxation policies for the automotive sector.
Green Growth Sector Committee (GGSC)
GGSC outlined critical regulatory barriers delaying more than €1.5 billion in ready EU green investments, and proposed:
- Fast-track permitting
- Mutual recognition of sustainability standards
- Dedicated “Green Investment Lanes”
The EU Delegation provided updates on CBAM, CSDDD, eco-design, Digital Product Passports (DPP), and waste policy, and invited case-specific submissions to strengthen future technical support. Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation to accelerate Việt Nam’s green transition.
Digital Sector Committee (DSC)
The DSC discussed Việt Nam’s fast-evolving digital regulatory environment, covering data, e-commerce, AI, and fintech laws. The EU Delegation identified four cooperation pathways:
- Embedding digital priorities into EU-funded programmes
- Using the EVFTA Working Group to escalate issues
- Preparing coordinated inputs for the EU-chaired CPTPP digital agenda in 2026
- Exploring pilot projects via the HCMC DX and 4IR Centres
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of regulatory predictability to support EU digital investment in Việt Nam.
Wine & Spirits Sector Committee (WSSC)
WSSC presented key challenges facing the sector, including:
- Significant decline in EU spirits exports
- Risks posed by the amended Special Consumption Tax Law
- The persistent issue of illicit alcohol
- Ambiguities in the draft national technical regulation on alcoholic beverages
The Committee urged the EU Delegation to advocate for fair taxation, impact assessments, clearer definitions, EU-aligned testing requirements, and WTO notification. The Delegation agreed to continue follow-up with MOIT and consider escalation if needed, including through the EU’s Single Entry Point.
