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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


Vietnam to allow independent trade unions, delay retirement
The adoption of the law" is expected to pave the way for the ratification of several free trade agreements Vietnam has signed, including one with the European Union.
Vietnam et Afrique du Sud discutent d’un accord de libre-échange
Les deux parties ont échangé des solutions pour augmenter la valeur d’échanges commerciaux bilatéraux dans les temps à venir dont la diversification des produits à l’export, la possibilité pour élaborer un accord de libre-échange bilatéral.
Vietnam, EU work to enhance comprehensive partnership and cooperation
EU and Vietnam formed a Joint Committee for the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) and held its first meeting in Hanoi on May 10
Vietnam-EAEU FTA to motivate bilateral economic development
The economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the EAEU has achieved important results after two years since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (Vietnam-EAEU FTA), contributing to creating a motivation for the economic development of each country and expanding cooperation in the region.
VN exporters lack FTA knowledge
Most Vietnamese enterprises lack awareness about free trade agreements (FTAs) the country plans to sign with other countries, especially the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), according to a survey.
Brussels workshop talks about EU-Vietnam free trade agreement
The EU-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentians’ Group and the European Institute for Asian Studies, held a workshop in Brussels to speed up the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Vietnam, Israel hold fifth round of negotiations on FTA
During the fifth round of negotiations between the two nations in Jerusalem, trade in goods, rules of origin, customs, technical barriers to trade, services, investment and other legal and institutional issues were tabled.
Activists urge EU to reject Vietnam free trade deal
Dozens of organisations including rights groups and pro-democracy activists have urged the European Union to reject a proposed free trade agreement with Vietnam, accusing the one-party state of being among the “worst enemies” of human rights.
Vietnam, Pakistan to sign free trade agreement soon: envoy Pham Hong Kim
Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan Pham Hong Kim says Vietnam and Pakistan were actively considering signing ‘Free Trade Agreement’ to boost bilateral trade between the two countries.
Vietnam leader calls for US to rejoin expanded TPP
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc wants to expand a renewed version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact to include the US and other countries to drive global economic growth and fight the rising tide of protectionism.