Actualités • Interview
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the EVFTA, Interview with Thibaut Giroux, President of the CCIFV
The EVFTA: What does this agreement mean for you and your company?
August 1, 2025 marks the fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the EVFTA, the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Vietnam. This anniversary goes beyond a symbolic date. It is a concrete opportunity to reflect on the changes this agreement has brought to French and European companies operating in Vietnam.
For Stolz-Miras, a company specialized in the design and manufacturing of metal equipment for the agri-food, pharmaceutical, energy and nuclear industries, the EVFTA has played a decisive role. Since it came into effect, we have been able to export more easily to Europe while increasing our competitiveness, thanks to the gradual removal of customs duties and greater recognition of European standards. This has strengthened our presence in Vietnam and allowed us to plan for the future with greater confidence.
What kind of development opportunities does this represent for companies?
Since its implementation in 2020, the EVFTA has helped simplify and strengthen trade between the European Union and Vietnam. It has led to the progressive elimination of 99 percent of customs duties, streamlined customs procedures, stronger protection of intellectual property rights and the adoption of more transparent standards. These developments have enabled many companies to access the Vietnamese market more easily and expand their activities in a more predictable and open legal environment.
According to VietnamPlus, trade between the European Union and Vietnam reached USD 62.6 billion in 2024, including USD 51.7 billion in Vietnamese exports to Europe, a sharp increase compared with the previous year.
Do you think companies are making the most of this agreement?
The effective use of the preferential tariffs provided under the agreement has increased significantly, from 14.8 percent in 2020 to 35.2 percent in 2023. This reflects a better understanding and adoption of the benefits offered by the agreement, although many companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are still not taking full advantage of them.
For businesses that have integrated the EVFTA into their commercial strategy, the benefits are tangible. They include improved competitiveness, simplified logistics and customs processes, and reduced costs for entering the Vietnamese market. The agreement offers a framework that deserves to be more widely known and actively leveraged by economic stakeholders.
What are the CCIFV’s commitments in supporting companies?
Over the past five years, the CCIFV has supported French and Vietnamese companies in understanding and implementing the EVFTA in practical terms. Through information workshops led by expert members, regulatory briefings, economic missions and tailored support, we strive to connect the opportunities offered by the agreement with the specific needs of our members in the field.
This fifth anniversary marks a new stage. The EVFTA continues to evolve, as do the opportunities it creates for French companies in Vietnam. In the coming months, we will maintain our commitment to support, awareness-raising and the promotion of feedback from experience, working in close collaboration with our members and partners.
To learn more about the EVFTA or to receive support with your projects, please contact
Kim Anh Nguyen, France–Vietnam Business Development Manager, nguyen.kimanh(@)ccifv.org
