2025 FTA NEGOTIATION PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED IN MAY

To date, Việt Nam has signed 16 FTAs with over 60 of the world’s major markets and three are under negotiation.

Tân Cảng - Cái Mép International Terminal. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is developing a negotiation plan for FTAs in 2025.

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Industry and Trade is developing a roadmap for negotiations and signings of free trade agreements (FTAs) over the rest of the year that must be reported to the Prime Minister within this month.

The task is part of the Resolution No 124/NQ – CP issued after the Government’s regular April meeting.

Amid volatile, complicated and unpredictable global landscape coupled with domestic challenges, the Government asked for drastic efforts to be taken to expand markets, diversify export products and supply chains and well as timely provide information support to enterprises.

This means the Ministry of Industry and Trade must gear up negotiation preparations for FTAs in 2025.

Trade negotiations with the US must be accelerated together with promoting Việt Nam’s participation in the expanded Information Technology Agreement (ITA2) and open the door for the technology products from the US.

Trade promotions must be enhanced to boost exports to potential markets such as the Middle East, North America, Latin America, India, Egypt and Pakistan.

The ministry must also strengthen trade defence measures and coordinate closely with relevant ministries and localities to monitor and inspect the production and distribution of food, pharmaceuticals and functional foods. Violations related to counterfeit or substandard goods must be handled strictly in accordance with the established laws.

Updates from the General Statistics Office show that exports totalled US$140.34 billion in January to April, up 13 per cent over the same period last year.

To date, Việt Nam has signed 16 FTAs with over 60 of the world’s major markets and three are under negotiation. — VNS

Source: VNS

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

SENTRYSAFE CHW20201 - EFFECTIVE WATER RESISTANCE, MAXIMUM PROTECTION

In unexpected flooding situations, the most important thing is to keep your valuables dry and intact. SentrySafe CHW20201 is specially designed with superior water-resistant capabilities, helping protect documents, cash, and important belongings even when fully submerged. Proven in real testing: After water submersion, the documents inside remain dry - undamaged.

Sep 21, 2026

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

AN ELECTRIFYING NIGHT WITH THE "QUEEN OF DANCE" THU MINH AT THE GRAND HO TRAM!

The stage at The Grand Ballroom is set to catch fire as Vietnam’s undisputed "Queen of Dance," Thu Minh, takes the spotlight. Renowned for her powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and sultry, high-energy performances, Thu Minh promises an evening of pure musical euphoria. The energy escalates with an exclusive appearance by special guest and The Voice champion, Vu Thao My.

Sep 17, 2026

HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT

HIGH-QUALITY HUMAN RESOURCES NEEDED TO ATTRACT NEW TECH INVESTMENT CAPITAL

Besides infrastructure, Việt Nam must also rapidly develop a highly skilled workforce to attract investment in AI, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, experts have said. Don Lam, CEO and co-founder of investment management company VinaCapital, said that global technology investors were increasingly looking at the readiness of the entire ecosystem, with high-quality human resources a decisive factor.

Sep 16, 2026

HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT

HIRING OUTLOOK STRENGTHENS IN Q4 AS SKILLS SHORTAGES PERSIST

Hiring intentions among employers in Việt Nam strengthened in the fourth quarter, with 52 per cent of surveyed companies planning to increase headcount between October and December, according to a ManpowerGroup survey released this week. Việt Nam's hiring outlook was stronger than the Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) regional average of 33 per cent and the global average of 29 per cent, ranking third in the region and 11th globally among 42 markets surveyed.

Sep 16, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

LARGE BANKS FORECAST TO GAIN HIGHER PROFITABILITY IN H2 2026

The return on average assets (ROAA) of the banking sector will likely remain stable at around 1.5 per cent in the second half of 2026, but profitability divergence among banks will increase, with large banks outperforming peers on stronger margins and diversified earnings, analysts forecast. In a recent report on the banking sector, analysts from the Vietnam Investors Service Rating said the sector’s ROAA rose by 10 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 1.51 per cent in the first half of this year, driven by net interest margin (NIM) improvements at some State-owned banks and large private banks.

Sep 16, 2026

GARMENT / TEXTILE

VIỆT NAM'S FOOTWEAR, BAG EXPORTS TO US TOP $8 BILLION IN EIGHT MONTHS

Việt Nam's exports of footwear and handbags to the US exceeded US$8 billion in the first eight months of 2026, as the US and EU remained the country's biggest markets despite sluggish growth in footwear shipments. Exports from Việt Nam's leather and footwear sector reached more than $2.45 billion in August, down 9 per cent from July but up 3 per cent from a year earlier, according to preliminary statistics.

Sep 16, 2026