The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) continues to boost trade between Vietnam and the Nordic region, but new EU regulations are set to make market access more demanding, Voice of Vietnam reports.
During the first half of 2026, Vietnamese exports to Norway rose by 47.2 per cent, followed by Latvia at 36.9 per cent, Denmark at 29.9 per cent and Sweden at 19.6 per cent, according to Vietnam Customs data.
The EVFTA has reduced tariffs and improved access to the European market for products ranging from garments and footwear to seafood, coffee, electronics and machinery.
However, new EU rules on carbon emissions, deforestation, packaging, product safety and digital product information will require exporters to meet higher standards.
Vietnamese companies are already adapting by investing in greener production, digital technologies and better traceability.
Investment ties are also strong. Companies from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Latvia had 359 investment projects in Vietnam worth around US$4.44 billion by the end of the first half of 2026.
The latest figures show that the EVFTA continues to create opportunities for Vietnam in Europe. But going forward, sustainability and transparency will be just as important as competitive prices.
