EU and Vietnam Celebrate 35 Years of Deepening Partnership and Shared Progress

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The European Union and Vietnam mark an important milestone in 2025: the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Since 1990, when cooperation began with a joint humanitarian programme that supported the resettlement of more than 100,000 Vietnamese “boat people,” the relationship has evolved into one of the EU’s most dynamic and wide-ranging partnerships in Asia, expanding steadily across economic, political, and global strategic areas.

Reflecting on this anniversary, H.E. Mr Julien Guerrier, EU Ambassador to Vietnam stated: “Over the past 35 years, the EU and Vietnam have built a partnership rooted in trust, shared values, and a clear commitment to progress. Our cooperation today spans trade, sustainable development, innovation, governance, and global security. We look forward to shaping an even more ambitious future together — one that delivers lasting benefits for both our peoples and contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in our regions and beyond.”

Among the most significant achievements of the past decade is the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which came into force in 2020. As the EU’s first free trade agreement with a developing country, this agreement has helped raise bilateral trade by around 40% and expanded EU investment in Vietnam from €22 billion to more than €30 billion. Implemented just months before the global economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, the agreement provided crucial support for Vietnam’s export-driven economy, enabling strong, sustained growth during a period when global trade contracted sharply.

Under the EU Global Gateway Strategy, EU-funded interventions support Vietnam in its pathway towards a low-carbon and climate-resilience economy for sustainable green growth.  EU cooperation focuses on investments in the areas of clean energy transition and decarbonisation of the transport sector. 

The EU co-leads the International Partners Group of the Just Energy Transition Partnership and engages on Vietnam’s energy transition with an ongoing €142 million Budget support programme for clean energy transition as a major flagship project. Through large blending operations amounting to more than €100 million in grants for climate action, including substantial grant contributions to the project Bac Ai hydro pumped storage project, the EU expects to leverage up to EUR 4 billion in highly concessional loans from European Development Banks. Implemented under a Team Europe approach, such investments draw on the combine expertise and resources of the EU and its Member States in support of Vietnam’s long-term development priorities.

Overall, the EU continues to implement comprehensive EU cooperation of more than €300 million in grants of ongoing project support and an additional €160 million of grants under preparation until 2027. EU cooperation with Vietnam also encompasses substantial support to strengthening human capacities allowing for a just and inclusive transition process and knowledge transfer. EU grants facilitate the creation of an enabling legislative and regulatory framework for legal empowerment. 

Currently, the EU provides project funding to the total amount of €34 million to a variety of Non-State Actors, with an additional more than €20 million available for new initiatives until 2027, covering - among other sectors - circular economy and sustainable value chain development, women-led green initiative and strengthening access to justice. 

The EU also remains a longstanding partner to Viet Nam in disaster preparedness and humanitarian response. Through the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO), the EU supports community-based disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and stronger local capacities, while also providing relief assistance and emergency satellite mapping for effective response and early recovery. 

Growing cooperation in peace and security further reflects the maturity of the relationship. The 2019 Framework Participation Agreement — the EU’s first with an ASEAN country — enables Vietnam to participate in EU-led peacekeeping missions and contributes to shared efforts in global peace and stability.

Looking toward the future, the EU and Vietnam are working closely to elevate their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides see considerable potential in deepening cooperation across the green transition, research and innovation, science and technology, and digital transformation, including skills development and future-oriented sectors such as semiconductors. At the same time, cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, and crisis management is expected to expand as both partners navigate a more complex global environment.

As Vietnam continues to modernise its economy — through administrative reforms, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and major investments in energy, transport, and digital infrastructure — the EU stands ready to support these efforts. Through the Global Gateway strategy, the EU aims to mobilise high-quality investments that will reinforce sustainable infrastructure, foster innovation, and create an enabling environment for long-term growth. 

European businesses already play a strong role in Vietnam’s development, and predictable, transparent, and coherent policies will help further attract high-quality investment that aligns with Vietnam’s ambitions for a green, digital, and high-income future. 

As the EU and Vietnam mark 35 years of cooperation, the occasion offers an opportunity to highlight the progress achieved across many areas of shared interest, including sustainable development, economic resilience, and support for an international rules-based order. The anniversary also provides a moment to look ahead to further possibilities for collaboration as the partnership continues to evolve.