14 July 2025: UK-Vietnam FTA Trade Committee meeting – summary
Published 22 September 2025
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Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security for the United Kingdom (UK), The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, and Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Long for Vietnam co-chaired the third Trade Committee under the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and Vietnam (UKVFTA) and the 14th UK-Vietnam Joint and Economic Trade Committee (JETCO).
The UK and Vietnam celebrated the continued growth in the value of bilateral trade between the UK and Vietnam, which increased by £1.2 billion from 2023 to reach £8.1 billion in 2024.
The UK and Vietnam recognised the value of our bilateral Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) as well as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which entered into force between the UK and Vietnam on 15 December 2024. Both Ministers committed to improve the utilisation of the agreement by businesses.
The UK and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in agriculture and trade. Both sides agreed to facilitate specific market access priorities, including UK beef and lamb, Vietnam heat – treated poultry products, approval of UK pork and poultry establishment registrations, the reconsideration of export of processed animal protein powder from porcine and poultry from the UK to Vietnam, and the approval of UK seafood establishments while working to reduce technical barriers and strengthen supply chain resilience. The UK welcomed the growing trade in innovative products like pharmaceuticals. Both the UK and Vietnam agreed that Vietnam’s new Pharmaceutical Law would ensure that this sector would continue to flourish ensuring continued access to vital medicines in Vietnam.
Vietnam shared its plans to establish an International Financial Centre (IFC) based in both Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Both sides recognised the value of capacity building and sharing expertise to shape the design of the IFC, expertly delivered by TheCityUK in partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, with a long-term view to growing the financial services sector for both countries which is mutually beneficial.
Both sides welcomed continued collaboration between the UK and Vietnam on the green energy transition through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and bilateral cooperation projects. They recognised the benefits to the climate as well as the potential for mutual economic growth in the UK and Vietnam. Vice Minister Long shared a progress update on renewable energy projects in the pipeline, as well as regulatory developments in this sector to enable international investment, including through international participation in the supply chain.
Vietnam requested closer cooperation in digital transformation and emerging technology sectors, such as AI and fintech. The UK referenced existing work on capacity building and best practice exchange in many areas related to trade and investment with Vietnam. The UK welcomed specific proposals from Vietnam on future cooperation.
In summary, the UK and Vietnam agreed to continue working together to strengthen bilateral trade and investment between the UK and Vietnam following the shared principles of free, open and fair trade. Both recognised the importance of a stable, resilient trading relationship to delivering increased prosperity and growth for both countries.