Vietnam is party to 15 active free trade agreements as of November 2025—including VIFTA (2024), RCEP (2022), EVFTA (2020), and CPTPP (2019)—plus GSP access with nine countries. Regulatory reforms launched in April 2025 (Resolution 66-NQ/TW) and implemented via Decree 86/2025/ND-CP on 1 July 2025 signal a shift toward enterprise-centred, facilitative trade governance. Judicial restructuring and intensified IP enforcement—1,400+ IP cases in H1 2025—further bolster supply chain reliability. Three major FTAs remain under negotiation: with EFTA, ASEAN–Canada, and the US.
According to practiceguides.chambers.com, Vietnam is party to 15 free trade agreements (FTAs) that have entered into force as of 30 November 2025 — including the recently implemented Vietnam–Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA) in 2024. This dense network of preferential trade arrangements positions Vietnam as one of the most treaty-connected economies in Southeast Asia, offering supply chain professionals significant tariff advantages, rule-of-origin flexibility, and regulatory predictability across diverse markets.
Active FTAs and GSP Access
Vietnam’s current FTA portfolio spans all major economic blocs and key bilateral partners. The source states the following agreements are in force: ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), ASEAN–China FTA (ACFTA), ASEAN–Korea FTA (AKFTA), ASEAN–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP), Vietnam–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA), ASEAN–India FTA (AIFTA), ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA), Vietnam–Chile FTA (VCFTA), Vietnam–Korea FTA (VKFTA), Vietnam–Eurasian Economic Union FTA (VN–EAEU FTA), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), ASEAN–Hong Kong FTA (AHKFTA), EU–Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), UK–Vietnam FTA (UKVFTA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and Vietnam–Israel FTA (VIFTA).
- The CPTPP entered into force in Vietnam on 14 January 2019
- The EVFTA became effective on 1 August 2020
- The RCEP took effect in Vietnam on 1 May 2022
- VIFTA entered into force in 2024
In addition, Vietnam benefits from Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) schemes with 9 countries or jurisdictions, including Australia (in force since 1974), Canada (since 1974), New Zealand (since 1972), Norway (since 1971), Switzerland (since 1972), and several post-Soviet states — Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russian Federation — all with initial entry into force on 10 October 2016.
Negotiations Underway and Regulatory Shifts
Three major trade negotiations are actively progressing. According to the report, the Vietnam–EFTA FTA (with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) has held 18 rounds, most recently in Da Nang in November 2025; the ASEAN–Canada FTA aims for substantial conclusion by late 2025; and the US–Vietnam Trade Framework Agreement — announced in October 2025 — focuses on reciprocal market access, reducing non-tariff barriers, and co-operation on digital trade and supply chain resilience.
A pivotal domestic development is Resolution No 66-NQ/TW, passed by the Politburo on 30 April 2025. The source states this resolution marks a strategic pivot “from prohibiting what cannot be controlled” toward a “development-oriented, facilitative regulatory framework” centred on enterprises and individuals. This philosophy underpins Decree No 86/2025/ND-CP, which entered into force on 1 July 2025 and replaces Decree No 10/2018/ND-CP. It strengthens enforcement procedures for anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard investigations while enhancing inter-agency coordination.
Enforcement Modernisation for Trade Integrity
Judicial reforms effective 1 July 2025 restructured Vietnam’s court system, establishing regional People’s Courts with clearly defined jurisdictional boundaries — reducing errors in commercial dispute handling. Specialised divisions, including economic courts, bankruptcy courts, and intellectual property courts, now operate at key regional courts. Enforcement activity reflects heightened priority: in the first six months of 2025, Vietnam’s Market Surveillance Agency handled over 50,000 cases involving smuggling, counterfeit goods, and IP infringements — including more than 1,400 IP-specific violations detected and addressed.
Source: practiceguides.chambers.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
