Vietnam – EU ties set to flourish under Global Gateway

Hanoi hosts the first EU-Vietnam Global Gateway Business and Investment Forum on March 24, bringing together policymakers, financiers, and business leaders to explore new avenues for sustainable growth.

Held under the theme “Investing together in a sustainable future,”  the Forum gathers around 500 delegates, including representatives from the EU, Vietnamese Government agencies, international financial institutions, and leading corporations from both regions. It comes at a pivotal moment, as Vietnam - EU relations were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January, signaling a deeper level of political and economic alignment.

Co-organized by the EU Delegation to Vietnam, the Foreign Investment Agency at the Ministry of Finance, and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), the Forum is expected to serve as both a policy dialogue platform and a practical gateway for business collaboration.

From March 23-25, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Mr. Jozef Síkela, pays a visit to Hanoi to increase EU investments in Vietnam to create jobs and sustainable economic growth under the Global Gateway initiative. On this occasion, the Commissioner participates in the EU-Vietnam Global Gateway Business and Investment Forum.

Mr. Síkela introduced his mission: “Vietnam is an ambitious country with a fast-growing economy, a young population, and enormous potential. Together, we want to create new economic opportunities for young people and build a more sustainable economy through investments in clean energy and modern transport. With Global Gateway, we are bringing European companies and investors to Vietnam to turn this ambition into concrete projects that create jobs and support the country’s clean transition.”

During the Forum, the Commissioner, together with the European private sector, will announce new EU investments in Vietnam. The gathering will focus on clean energy and sustainable transport, which are Global Gateway priority areas in the country. These also support Vietnam’s efforts and commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which the EU co-leads.

The Forum aims to strengthen economic ties between Europe and Vietnam, and support Vietnam’s modernization into a sustainable, digital economy, with strong long-term growth. It will bring together high-level EU and Vietnamese policymakers, private sector leaders, investors, and other partners to create new avenues for trade and investment, showcase existing projects, and build lasting business partnerships.

The visit takes place under a Team Europe approach: joined by the Vice President of the European Investment Bank Ms. Nicola Beer, during which Mr. Síkela will lead a delegation of European companies to explore investment opportunities with a focus on sustainable transport.

Strengthening a 35-year partnership

The Forum builds upon 35 years of Vietnam - EU cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990. Over the decades, the partnership has expanded across trade, sustainable development, innovation, governance, and global security, laying a strong foundation for deeper engagement.

With the recent elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both sides are now seeking to translate political momentum into tangible economic outcomes. Global Gateway - an EU initiative aimed at mobilizing high-quality, sustainable investment worldwide - has emerged as a key framework to achieve this goal in Vietnam.

As Vietnam continues to modernize its economy, it is undertaking major reforms and investing heavily in critical sectors such as energy and transport. These efforts are central to the country’s ambition to achieve a twin green and digital transformation, alongside its long-term commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Through Global Gateway, the EU aims to support these ambitions by unlocking capital flows, strengthening infrastructure connectivity, and promoting innovation. The strategy also seeks to create a more enabling business environment, helping Vietnam attract long-term investment while ensuring sustainability standards.

Driving sustainable growth

At the core of the Forum’s agenda are strategic sectors identified as key drivers of sustainable growth, particularly green energy and sustainable transport. These areas are seen as critical not only for Vietnam’s economic development but also for enhancing connectivity between the EU and Southeast Asia.

Discussions will also cover broader themes such as infrastructure development, the green and digital transformation, and the adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards in business and investment practices. Together, these topics reflect a shared priority to align economic growth with sustainability goals.

Beyond high-level discussions, the Forum is designed to deliver practical outcomes. It will connect European and Vietnamese stakeholders, facilitate new business partnerships, and spotlight investment opportunities across Global Gateway priority sectors. Particular attention will be given to supporting Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises in accessing international investors and integrating into global value chains.

The Forum will also provide a platform to address regulatory bottlenecks and market challenges. Dialogue between public and private sector representatives is expected to focus on improving standards, enabling technology transfer, and developing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly-evolving economy.

By fostering closer cooperation between governments, businesses, and financial institutions, the EU-Vietnam Global Gateway Business and Investment Forum is poised to play a catalytic role in shaping the next phase of bilateral economic relations, one defined by sustainability, innovation, and shared prosperity.