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Vietnam

Vietnam signed a fairly comprehensive bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States in 2000. It came into force in 2001. The BTA was part of the post-war "trade normalisation" process between the two countries and should be seen as strong precursor to a watertight US FTA. In June 2007, Hanoi and Washington signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, yet another step towards a possible FTA. And in December 2008, the two governments began negotiating a hardcore bilateral investment treaty (BIT), yet another.

In January 2007, Hanoi and Tokyo began talks towards a Japan-Vietnam deal, which was finally signed in December 2008. Shortly after, Vietnam began talks with Chile, with the FTA signed in 2011. Hanoi already signed an FTA with Israel back in 2004 and may join the TPP. It is also intending to negotiate FTAs with EFTA, Russia and Mexico

As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam is caught up in the bloc’s regional FTA dealings with Korea, the EU, China, Japan and India. The Vietnamese government has also signed a number of bilateral intellectual property and science & technology agreements with industrialised countries, as well as more than 30 BITs.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Phó Nháy/Wikimedia


Harris: Vietnam to reduce ag tariffs, participate in climate-smart ag
Vice President Harris announced in Vietnam today that Vietnam has agreed to cut its import duties on corn, wheat and pork products.
Vietnam to gain as EU-China investment pact stalls
European investors are likely to look beyond China following the suspension of an investment agreement. Strong diplomatic relations and trade ties with Vietnam mean that the Southeast Asian country is tipped to profit.
Vietnam, Singapore begin negotiations on digital trade agreement
It is still too early to hail a digital economy agreement between Singapore and Vietnam. And it will be an even longer road before Vietnam can align itself with Singapore’s digital trade standards so that both nations can reap the full benefits of any potential agreement.
Vietnam, Singapore to work towards bilateral agreement on digital economy
Vietnam and Singapore have agreed to promote the early establishment of a joint technical working group on a digital partnership, towards a bilateral agreement on digital economy.
UK - Viet Nam free trade agreement entry into force
The UK and Viet Nam mark an important symbolic step in this partnership as the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement enters into force.
Official urges optimisation of FTA to boost Vietnam-Russia agricultural trade
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture called on both sides to push ahead with further opening their countries’ markets to each other’s agricultural product.
Vietnam-UK trade deal to officially take effect from May
Vietnam will announce to the UK side its ratification of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) this month, so the deal can officially come into force from May 1.
Ukraine, Vietnam to resume work on FTA agreement – trade rep
Ukraine and Vietnam will resume work on a free trade area agreement (FTA), Trade Representative of Ukraine has said.
Vietnam and UK foreign ministers to meet for trade deal
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will visit Vietnam on Tuesday to hold talks with his counterpart Pham Binh Minh, with a trade deal at the top of the agenda ahead of the ending of the transition period for Britain’s exit from the European Union this year.
Vietnam, Israel accelerates negotiation for trade deal
Vietnam and Israel are stepping up negotiation for the Vietnam – Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA), which, once completed, would be a major boost for bilateral relations.