Economic Cooperation & Trade

© Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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. Ready to Export

Ready to Export (R2E) is a programme designed to support Vietnamese SMEs with strong growth potential in becoming reliable partners for the Dutch and EU markets in the Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Textile & Garment sectors. Taking a practical, market-oriented approach, R2E combines readiness assessment, tailored capacity building, EU market and compliance guidance, buyer linkages and targeted mentoring. Industry experts, technical partners, business networks and international buyers contribute market knowledge throughout.

A cohort of 90 SMEs progresses from assessment to market connection, turning improved readiness into real business opportunities. R2E is currently in Phase 2, running from June 2026 to the end of 2027, building on the first phase. The programme is implemented by the Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV) with support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the Netherlands diplomatic network in Vietnam and business partners.

 

3. Supporting Women-led Business Through E-Commerce

​​​​​​​The project “Vietnam: Supporting Women-led Businesses in Accessing European
Markets through E-commerce” has successfully concluded its first phase, training 525 entrepreneurs, 476 of them women-led. It has been inspiring to watch these women steadily grow their presence in European markets.

In September 2026, the project's phase 2 was launched. Building on phase 1, this
phase places greater emphasis on helping businesses meet the standards, regulations, and buyer requirements needed to enter the EU market, through in-person training
and business-matching activities. This project is funded by the Netherlands
​​​​​​​government and implemented by ITC SheTrades, with the support from Vietrade.

We look forward to opening this new chapter with a new cohort of companies and supporting their growth in European markets.

4. 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.