The Vietnam-EU Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum 2026 was held in Hanoi on November 4. It focused on shaping the future green economy and new value chains.
The forum was jointly organised by Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, the EU Delegation to Vietnam, the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham).
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Luong Hoang Thai said the ninth forum provides a channel for regular exchanges between government agencies and businesses on policy, market development, trade connectivity and investment.
He said Vietnam is pursuing major economic goals, including maintaining macroeconomic stability, achieving average annual GDP growth of at least 10% during 2026-2030 and becoming one of the world's 30 largest economies by 2030.
The year 2026 marks a new stage in Vietnam-EU relations after the two sides elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Together with the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the upgraded ties provide a foundation for more substantive trade and investment cooperation.
More than six years after the EVFTA took effect, bilateral trade continued to grow. Two-way trade exceeded 65 billion USD in the first nine months of 2026, up nearly 20% year on year.
The EU is Vietnam's fourth-largest trading partner, third-largest export market and sixth-largest import market. Vietnam is the EU's largest trading partner in ASEAN and its ninth-largest goods supplier.
Thai said Vietnam hopes the EU will remain an important export market and become a strategic partner in trade upgrading, industrial linkages, economic autonomy and the adoption of higher sustainability standards.
Vietnam also plans to increase exports of technology-intensive, deeply processed and high-value-added products, while importing advanced machinery, equipment, materials, green technologies and circular energy solutions from Europe.
Given the EU's technological strengths, management expertise and financial resources, Vietnam called on European partners to expand technical assistance, technology transfer and investment in green and digital transitions, energy and circular economy projects. Vietnam also expects commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to become concrete financial and technological support.
EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier reaffirmed that Vietnam is a strategic partner of the bloc and said the upgraded relationship has created new political momentum.
He said the full and effective implementation of the EVFTA is essential for expanding cooperation, including fair market access and a stable, transparent and predictable business environment.
The ambassador said the EU supports Vietnam's efforts to improve law enforcement, shift from pre-inspection controls to risk-based management and ensure more consistent implementation of regulations across localities. Such reforms would strengthen investor confidence, reduce costs and attract high-quality European investment.
Guerrier also identified renewable energy, the circular economy, sustainable manufacturing, aerospace, seaports, airports, logistics, semiconductors, digital transformation, strategic minerals, healthcare, biotechnology and high-tech agriculture as areas with cooperation potential.
Noel Clehane, Vice Chairman of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, said Vietnam is well positioned to attract a greater share of European investment, manufacturing, technology and business partnerships in ASEAN. He said the country should focus on high-quality, long-term investment that generates greater added value.
European investment could bring advanced technologies and expertise, support workforce development and strengthen links with Vietnamese enterprises, helping Vietnam integrate more deeply into regional and global value chains, he said.
Participants also discussed energy cooperation. Trinh Quoc Vu, Deputy Director of the Electricity Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said Vietnam's net-zero target for 2050 and ambitious economic growth plans are placing greater demands on energy security.
He called on European companies to participate more actively in implementing the revised Power Development Plan VIII through investment in power generation and grid infrastructure, technology and technical solutions, and international financing.
Vietnam also hopes to work with European partners to develop renewable energy supply chains, particularly for offshore wind power, to meet domestic demand and serve export markets.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
