From 24 to 27 November 2025, EuroCham successfully co-organised a series of high-level meetings between the Vietnamese government and the EU Delegation in Vietnam with the EU ASEAN Business Council (EUABC) focusing on strengthening cooperation between European businesses and Vietnam.
EuroCham was actively represented by:
- Mr. Bruno Jaspaert, Chairman
- Mr. Minh Nguyen, Vice-Chair
- Ms. Tri Mai Hoang, Board Member
- Mr. Torben Minko, Board Member
- Ms. Rita Mokbel, Board Member
- Ms. Delphine Rousselet, Executive Director
- Mr. Michel Cassagnes, Chairman, Construction Sector Committee
- Ms. Van Nguyen, Head of Hanoi Office cum External Relations Manager
Across the meetings, discussions covered EU-Vietnam trade partnership, green finance, sustainable infrastructure, healthcare reform, digital transformation, customs modernisation, climate policy, circular economy, cybersecurity, labour mobility, and innovation ecosystems. Key topics included blended finance and green taxonomy, drug registration and medical devices, administrative reform and work permit, e-commerce and AEO frameworks, carbon markets and MRV systems, sustainable aviation and transport, EPR and eco-labelling, data protection, IUU fishing, and cross-border digital compliance.
Please find the recap from each meeting below:
24 Nov: MEETING WITH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The EUABC requested updates on mechanisms to improve the law-making process and regulatory impact assessments (Tetra Pak) and sought clarity on Vietnam’s economic development priorities, SME support, and foreign investment facilitation (HSBC). It also raised questions on healthcare legislative priorities, preventive health policies, medical imaging investment, and PPP frameworks (Pernod Ricard, Haleon, Siemens Healthineers, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi), as well as orientations for offshore wind development and aerospace cooperation on workforce training, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption, and technology transfer (COP, Airbus).
25 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE (MOIT)
EuroCham Board Member Torben Minko commended MOIT for progress on the DPPA framework and two-component electricity tariff, stressing the need for regulatory stability to sustain renewable energy investment and Vietnam’s Net Zero goals. He also emphasised the importance of fully implementing the EVFTA to maintain a rules-based economic partnership.
The EUABC requested MOIT’s updates on measures to address U.S. trade policy impacts, rules of origin compliance, and support for the garment and textile industry facing tariff challenges. It also sought orientations on ESG standards and incentives for SMEs, chemical import/export management, offshore wind development, resolution of pending renewable projects, electrification trends, aerospace cooperation on SAF and industry growth, anti-counterfeiting strategies for e-commerce, and timelines for product risk classification lists.
25 Nov: MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MOST)
Representing EuroCham Vietnam, Board Member Tri-Mai Hoang commended the MOST for its leadership in advancing science, technology, and digital transformation and urged stronger innovation policies, including partnerships with European research institutions, dual-location training, and a Digital Partnership with the EU to build a skilled semiconductor workforce. She also emphasised aligning data regulations with EU-GDPR, simplifying IP registration, and improving enforcement clarity.
The EUABC requested updates on recognition of foreign-invested innovation centres, eligibility for innovation sandbox programs, and incentives for high-tech startups and R&D in areas such as digital health and AI diagnostics (Tetra Pak, Temasek, Kenvue, Haleon). It also sought MOST’s plans for medical imaging development, cooperation with international tech enterprises for AI adoption and digital skills, priorities for space science and Earth Observation Satellites, and progress on product traceability regulations (Siemens Healthineers, SAP, Airbus).
25 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF FINANCE (MOF)
EuroCham Vice-chair Minh Nguyen urged MOF to accelerate VAT refunds and reduce administrative burdens to support business growth and proposed full deductibility of interest expenses for green and sustainability-linked loans to incentivize sustainable investments. He also emphasised EuroCham’s commitment to advancing Vietnam’s net-zero objectives.
The EUABC requested MOF’s roadmap for upgrading Vietnam’s stock market to “emerging market” status and measures to attract high-quality FDI (Temasek, Evonik). It also sought clarity on EPR compliance cost deductibility, transitional provisions for e-invoicing, infrastructure financing plans, offshore wind investment policies, insurance market development, and excise tax reform for alcoholic beverages (Tetra Pak, Coca-Cola, LBBW, COP, Prudential, Heineken).
25 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH)
EuroCham Board Member Torben Minko urged the Ministry of Health to accelerate drug registration and marketing authorization extensions, adopt value-based procurement for high-tech medical devices, and remove the Certificate of Free Sale requirement for EU cosmetics to eliminate trade barriers. He also highlighted the need for stronger antimicrobial resistance measures, technical standards alignment, and risk-based food safety management.
The EUABC requested MOH’s orientations on strengthening domestic pharmaceutical and vaccine production, improving licensing processes, and implementing reference pricing under the new Law on Pharmacy. It also sought updates on early application of immunization provisions, harmonization of food safety regulations, clarification on cosmetics and dermo-cosmetics rules, and investment opportunities in healthcare, including foreign ownership limits and digital health innovation.
25 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM (MOCST)
EuroCham Vice-chair Minh Nguyen recommended amending the Law on Advertising by deleting Article 19a and revising Article 15a to focus on honesty and accuracy rather than requiring “direct use,” aiming to reduce overlapping and impractical regulations for businesses. He also reaffirmed EuroCham’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s net-zero objectives.
The EUABC requested MOCST’s perspectives on maintaining Vietnam’s appeal to high-quality travelers amid rising alcohol taxes and ensuring competitiveness in tourism and hospitality pricing (Pernod Ricard). It also sought updates on national guidance for short-term rental regulations (Asia Group Advisor), legal frameworks for wellness tourism initiatives (Kenvue), and continued support for Michelin Guide activities to strengthen Vietnam’s culinary tourism (Michelin).
26 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (MOHA)
EuroCham Executive Director Delphine Rousselet expressed appreciation for 25 years of partnership with the Government and acknowledged MOHA’s achievements in governance reform and modernization of labour and social policies. He emphasised two priorities: ensuring uniform implementation of administrative reforms across provinces and simplifying work permit requirements to attract international experts.
The EUABC requested MOHA to share its reform priorities for streamlining licensing and registration processes, especially for healthcare products and public health campaigns (Kenvue). It also proposed regulations on document management for businesses (DHL Express) and sought MOHA’s action plan to support the garment and textile industry in addressing tariff and origin challenges to maintain competitiveness (Adidas).
26 Nov: MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF CUSTOMS (DOC)
EuroCham Vice-Chair Minh Nguyen emphasised the need to protect trade secrets in chemical import activities by revising disclosure requirements and proposed improvements for cross-border e-commerce, including granting Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status to express delivery enterprises and raising the tax-exempt threshold for low-value goods.
The EUABC requested updates on customs institutional reform and digital transformation to improve clearance efficiency and operational transparency. It also raised concerns on anti-smuggling measures, chemical management, high-tech goods control, rules of origin verification, ESG data integration, and proposed customs guidance for express delivery and e-commerce to support compliance and sustainable trade.
26 Nov: MEETING WITH STATE BANK OF VIETNAM (SBV)
EuroCham Board Member Rita Mokbel commended SBV for its leadership in implementing the National Green Taxonomy and issuing the ESMS Handbook, which are key steps toward sustainable finance and alignment with EU standards. She emphasised EuroCham’s commitment to support Vietnam through technical exchange on MRV systems and carbon market readiness and ensuring businesses remain competitive under CBAM.
The EUABC requested SBV’s policy direction on balancing interest rates, credit growth quotas, and exchange rate stability to achieve economic growth and inflation control (Temasek, LBBW, Michelin). It also sought SBV’s views on managing foreign exchange reserves, implementing local currency settlement frameworks, and short-term measures to stabilize currency and contain inflation amid global market volatility.
26 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION (MOC)
The EUABC requested updates on the Government’s Action Program for Green Energy Transition and plans for promoting electric transport to achieve net-zero emissions. It also sought information on priorities for infrastructure development, progress on major transport projects, administrative procedure simplification, workforce development for airport infrastructure, and collaboration opportunities in digital transformation, green aviation, and sustainable aviation fuel deployment. Thank you, Mr. Michel Cassagnes, Chairman of Construction Sector Committee, for representing EuroCham Vietnam.
26 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT (MAE)
EuroCham Board Member Torben Minko commended Vietnam’s leadership in green transition and circular economy, highlighting alignment with EU standards such as EUDR, CBAM, and PPWR, and expressed readiness to support through knowledge exchange and technology transfer. He also praised progress on EPR implementation and green labelling initiatives.
The EUABC requested updates on the expansion of sectors under the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the development of an MRV system for green growth monitoring. It also sought clarity on eco-label certification timelines and criteria, policies for sustainable agriculture and bio-based products, incentives for agricultural biotechnology, alternative energy sources like biogas, and measures to reduce antibiotic use in farming.
27 Nov: MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY (MPS)
EuroCham Vice-Chair Minh Nguyen commended MPS for its progress in cybersecurity and personal data protection and urged alignment of Vietnam’s data regulations with EU-GDPR, including clearer guidelines on offshore processing, AI disclosures, and voluntary trust ratings. He also emphasised the need for modern technologies to strengthen law enforcement and disaster response.
The EUABC requested MPS to share orientations and solutions for national cybersecurity, personal data protection, and implementation of the VNeID system, as well as guidance on cross-border data transfer compliance. It also sought updates on anti-counterfeiting measures, enforcement against smuggled goods and counterfeit alcohol, inter-provincial coordination for product recalls, and collaboration opportunities in applying advanced technologies and equipment for security and emergency response.
27 Nov: MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER
EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert congratulated Vietnam for overcoming recent challenges and achieving its growth targets, affirming that European businesses are committed to expanding investment in Vietnam. He also announced that EU businesses have donated 88,000 USD to support disaster recovery.
Chairman of EU-ABC Jens Rubbert expressed sympathy for Vietnam’s flood losses, praised its resilience, and emphasised Europe’s view of Vietnam as a key partner in ASEAN. He highlighted Vietnam’s global role, including its participation in the G20, and congratulated the country on its stock market upgrade. Mr. Rubbert reaffirmed strong bilateral economic ties and EU businesses’ interest in long-term cooperation through high-quality investment and technology.
Ambassador Julien Guerrier noted the EU’s continued of monitoring Vietnam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing and expressed confidence in more strategic EU investments and upgrading EU-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He highlighted that the EU remains one of Vietnam’s top trade and investment partners, while Vietnam is the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. Specifically, the EVFTA has driven annual trade growth of 10–15%. In the first nine months of 2025, two-way trade reached USD 54.6 billion (+8.4% YoY). The EU ranks 7th in FDI into Vietnam with 2,743 projects, totalling nearly USD 32 billion.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated EuroCham on successfully organising the Green Economy Forum 2025 and thanked the EU for €850,000 in flood relief and welcomed the 88,000 USD contribution from European businesses. The Prime Minister emphasised Vietnam’s dynamic partnership with the EU and ongoing discussions to upgrade Vietnam-EU ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He also highlighted Vietnam’s strong growth outlook (GDP expected to exceed 8% in 2025), with strategic goals of becoming a modern and industrialised country by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2045.
The Prime Minister called on EU businesses to deepen cooperation in green transition, digitalisation, clean agriculture, high-tech projects, AI, and innovation.
EuroCham sincerely thanks all representatives for their active contributions, strategic engagement, and continued partnership in advancing Vietnam–EU economic cooperation.
