Vietnam faces non-tariff trade barriers as green, digital shifts become imperative
Hanoi, September 29 (VNA) - Rising non-tariff barriers in global trade are pushing green transition and digital transformation from optional to essential, experts warned, as Vietnam navigates an increasingly complex export landscape.
Vietnam’s exports reached 306 billion USD in the first eight months of 2025, exceeding the set target, driven by strong growth in key categories. The rebound reflects recovering global consumer demand, benefits from free trade agreements, and local firms pivoting to green practices, which are boosting market share and elevating the “Made in Vietnam” brand.
To sustain this momentum, Vietnamese companies must master climate finance to fund technological upgrades, according to experts. Training workforces to handle emissions tracking, reporting, and carbon credit markets is essential to capitalise on green opportunities and maintain sustainable exports.
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a core part of its Green Deal, will require importers to declare carbon emissions for production items, including steel, aluminium, cement, and fertilisers, starting in January 2026. Compliance with the CBAM could help Vietnamese enterprises diversify exports and solidify their presence in the European market, according to a representative from EuroCham’s Green Growth Sector Committee.
Alongside the CBAM, the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is reshaping global business practices. For Vietnam, this presents a chance to align production with EU standards while advancing its net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is releasing support measures to propel green trade and sustainable development, including sector-specific ecosystem models to help firms meet stringent market demands. Efforts are underway to shift business mindsets toward green supply chains, positioning Vietnam as a global green factory.To help companies meet green standards, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has provided guidelines to boost green trade and sustainable development. In particular, the ministry is building sector-specific ecosystem models to help firms align production processes with increasingly stringent market demands.
The ministry is also cooperating with industry associations to train businesses in product design, branding, and packaging, ensuring exports thrive in global markets.
At the launching ceremony of the Green B2B Exchange in July, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang called the platform a vital tool for greening supply chains and fostering broader connections faster than traditional methods. This will give the Vietnamese business community an added competitive edge to join the global low-carbon supply chains, she said./.
