Economic Cooperation and Trade - Vietnam

Vietnam and the Netherlands are long-lasting and trusted partners in doing sustainable, inclusive and responsible business together.

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1. Responsible Business Conduct

Vietnam is one of Asia’s most dynamic economies, with sustained 6–8% annual GDP growth (excluding
COVID years) and rising foreign investment. Yet rapid development brings challenges in labor standards, environmental protection, and governance.

The Netherlands remains Vietnam’s largest EU trading partner, leading investor, and top export market.
For Dutch companies, understanding and applying Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) standards is
essential for sustainable and ethical growth.

This Information Sheet helps Dutch businesses, policymakers, and partners navigate Vietnam’s evolving
business landscape using the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (2023), showing how
companies can advance sustainable development while navigating economic, social, environmental,
and governance risks.

2. EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA)

The Netherlands is the largest EU investor and the second-largest EU trading partner of Vietnam. The two countries share numerous common grounds and therefore have been natural partners in many fields, such as water, agriculture, maritime, aviation and circular economy. Dutch companies such as Heineken, Damen Shipyards, Philips, Royal Haskoning DHV and Friesland Campina have been investing and doing business in Vietnam for many years. Increasingly, more and more Dutch companies that focus on offering innovative solutions, circular economy and sustainable trade are entering the market. The EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVTA) , which has been in effect since August 2020, and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which is expected to take effect soon in the near future, are paving the way to boost sustainable and inclusive trade and investment between Vietnam and the Netherlands.

3. Strengthening Women Entrepreneurship

Although Vietnamese women have made increasing contributions to the national socio-economic development, female entrepreneurs are still facing many challenges. In order to narrow the gender gap, the Dutch government has funded the project Strengthening Women Entrepreneurship in Vietnam (SWEV). This project aims to enhance the capacity of Vietnamese female entrepreneurs and their associations. SWEV is supported by PUM Netherlands senior experts and organized by Vietnam Insight, Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council (VWEC), Hanoi Association for Women Entrepreneurs (HNEW) and Ho Chi Minh City Association For Women Executives & Entrepreneurs (HAWEE).

Watch the inspirational movie on female entrepreneurs or the Learning & Sharing session on women entrepreneurship ‘From Inspiring to Aspiring’ .