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EU–Vietnam: A strategic partnership for the future economy
Vietnam and the European Union are set to take their relationship to a new level, with plans to elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — making Vietnam the first ASEAN country to reach this highest level of partnership with the EU.
Notably, this will become Vietnam’s 15th Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and the 8th established since To Lam took office, highlighting the pace and intensity of Vietnam’s recent diplomatic push. In 2025 alone, total trade turnover between Vietnam and its Comprehensive Strategic Partners rose by 18.2%, underscoring the tangible economic impact of this strategy.
The draft joint statement points to deeper cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductor supply chains and trusted 5G networks, with a focus on expanding trade and investment in rare earths, gallium, tungsten and chip-related industries. The partnership also spans sustainable mining, clean energy, climate action and digital transformation, while opening the door to defence technology cooperation and major infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail.
At a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty, this milestone positions Vietnam as an increasingly important strategic anchor for the EU in Asia, and reinforces its role in building secure, resilient and future-ready global supply chains.
