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27 June 2025: UK-Vietnam Joint Forum on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) – meeting minutes

Published 23 January 2026

The second Joint Forum (JF) on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) under the Free Trade Agreement between The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (herein, ‘Vietnam’) and the United Kingdom (UK) (UKVFTA) was held on 27 June 2025 in Ha Noi, Vietnam and London, UK via video conference.

The JF was moderated by the UK TSD Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) Chair. Participants included representatives of both the UK government and Vietnamese government, alongside each country’s TSD DAGs.

The UK and Vietnamese governments updated stakeholders on the outcomes of the third UK-Vietnam TSD Sub-Committee, which was held on 24 June 2025 by reading a Joint Report.

Afterwards, the UK DAG Chair provided an overview of the membership and purpose of the UK DAG, explaining that the group recently renewed for a second term on 4 April 2025. Vietnam’s DAG Chair similarly introduced the Vietnam DAG, outlining membership and introducing those who were in attendance for the session.

1. Discussions on trade and labour

The UK DAG raised questions regarding Vietnam’s ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87, 29 and 98. Vietnam confirmed they have ratified 25 conventions and are raising awareness of labour-related laws. Vietnam highlighted their commitment to aligning with ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention). They detailed collaboration across various ministries to assess alignment of relevant laws and regulations with Convention 87. In this manner, they hope to take a structured approach and ensure consistency with domestic legislation.

In response to a question on progress across the textiles and electronics sectors, Vietnam explained their approach is bolstered by promulgation of the Law on Trade Union No. 50/2024/QH15 (Trade Union Law 2024). Vietnam is lending greater support to trade unions and therefore meeting wider international standards. Vietnam noted that trade union activity is increasing across the country, particularly in the textiles and electronics sectors.

The Vietnam DAG noted that Vietnam experiences issues related to the protection of rights for rehired workers. This was followed by specific questions to the UK concerning labour policies in this area. The UK provided a brief overview and offered to follow-up with further detail.  

The Vietnam DAG sought views from the UK DAG, on the challenges faced by trade unions after ILO Conventions are ratified and implemented and expressed an interest in discussing trade union engagement with the UK DAG directly. The UK DAG offered to follow up on this request, agreeing further collaboration would be productive.

2. Discussions on trade and environment

In response to an intervention on the level of expertise sharing between the 2 countries (particularly on climate change), the UK updated Vietnam on climate co-operation work being undertaken by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). This includes tangible outputs being delivered under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and technical assistance under the UK government’s Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme in energy, low-carbon agricultural value chains and green finance.

The UK DAG asked Vietnam for an update on steps taken to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and for their progress in ratifying the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. Vietnam explained they hoped to ratify the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement by autumn 2025. Vietnam requested UK collaboration and support on IUU fishing and the acquisition of data on global fish stocks.

Responding to a question about plans for sustainable forestry management, Vietnam outlined forestry reforms and the establishment of a Timber Certification Office. The UK provided a similar update and noted the 2023 Timber Regulations are being maintained and reviewed.

The Vietnam DAG asked the UK about UKVFTA Article 13.7 (Biological Diversity), querying alignment with domestic laws and measures to promote this. The UK reaffirmed their commitment to biodiversity co-operation and illustrated this with the Wildlife Fund Projects which support projects in Vietnam on issues including (but not limited to):

• disruptions and deterrents
• trans-boundary commodity trafficking
• illegal animal trafficking

The Vietnam DAG expressed interest in sustainable supply chains and asked the UK about their Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The UK responded that the CBAM policy is still under development but provided an overview, shared the implementation timeline and noted that Vietnam had been invited to participate in the UK’s CBAM International Group.

When asked about actions being taken to ensure trade and environment policy contributed to reducing inequalities which recognise social development, Vietnam reaffirmed their commitments made at the Conference of Parties (COP) 26 in Glasgow in 2021. Vietnam provided updates on progress made in the energy and agriculture sectors to illustrate this point, however it was noted that work remains ongoing.

3. Conclusion

The UK and Vietnam governments thanked each other and their respective TSD DAGs for their co-ordination, support and constructive engagement which resulted in a productive session. A pledge was made by both parties to follow up with further detail where required and to continue collaborating.