29 January 2026 17:24 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission announces upgrade of EU–Viet Nam ties

Key points

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established
Expanded cooperation on trade, climate, security, and human rights

TL;DR

The EU and Viet Nam have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership covering trade, investment, climate, energy, digital transformation, research, security, and human rights.
The move builds on 35 years of cooperation and existing agreements such as the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement.
The partnership emphasizes support for international law, multilateralism, and free and open trade.

Original text

European Commission - Press release EU and Viet Nam upgrade ties to comprehensive strategic partnership Brussels, 29 January 2026 The European Union and Viet Nam have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, strengthening ties in areas such as trade, energy, climate and security. This marks an important step forward after 35 years of working together. The EU and Viet Nam will cooperate more closely across a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, sustainable development, climate and energy, digital transformation, research and innovation, security-related issues, and cooperation in multilateral fora. The new strategic partnership will also provide an opportunity to deepen dialogue and cooperation on human rights and fundamental freedoms. This decision reflects how much ties between the EU and Viet Nam have grown over the past three decades. It also shows a shared interest in working more closely in an evolving international environment, particularly in support of international law, multilateralism, and free and open trade. This step builds on years of close cooperation. Agreements like the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement have boosted trade, investment, and exchanges over the past decade, bringing real benefits to businesses and people on both sides. Cooperation has also grown in areas such as sustainable development and the clean energy transition, climate action, environmental protection, judicial reform, education, security and regional stability. Background The European Union and Viet Nam established formal diplomatic relations in 1990. Over the past three decades, cooperation has grown into a broad and dynamic partnership covering trade, investment, development cooperation, sustainable growth, political dialogue, and human rights. Today, the EU is one of Viet Nam's key partners in trade, investment and sustainable development. For more information Joint Statement IP/26/281 Press contacts: Paula PINHO (+32 2 29 20815) Olof GILL (+32 2 29 65966) Arianna PODESTA (+32 2 298 70 24) Anitta HIPPER (+32 2 29 85691) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

Key tags

Topics

Keywords

Stats

Word count: 330

Summary words: 72

Compression: 22%

Boilerplate removed: Yes

Top phrases:

Entities

People

None found.

Organizations

Places

Brussels