On October 10, 2025, within the framework of the WTO Chair Program at Foreign Trade University, the Vietnam Forum on International Trade 2025 (Vietnam Forum on International Trade – VFIT 2025) with the theme “New Growth Drivers for Vietnam’s International Trade in the Era of Global Emergence” took place successfully, attracting the participation of many representatives from regulatory agencies, international organizations, researchers, businesses, and the press, reflecting Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the global trade network.
The Forum was held in person at the Hanoi Headquarters of Foreign Trade University, combined with online connection.
The Vietnam Forum on International Trade 2025 once again affirmed the role of Foreign Trade University as a leading center for research, education, and policy dialogue in the field of international trade.
The event is also a key activity toward the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Foreign Trade University, marking the University’s journey of sustainable development, innovation, and integration in education and research in international economics and trade in Vietnam.
Attending and speaking at the Forum were Mr. Zhang Xiangchen – Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Dr. Pham Quang Huy – Minister Counsellor, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Vietnam in Geneva; Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien – Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade; along with guests, speakers from inside and outside the country, scholars, business representatives, and media agencies.
On the side of Foreign Trade University, there was the presence of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong – President of the University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien – Vice President of the University; directors and deputy directors of the WTO Chairs Program at Foreign Trade University; representatives of Departments/Offices, Faculties/Institutes of the University along with many lecturers, doctoral researchers, and graduate students.
In the opening speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thu Huong emphasized the importance of developing new growth drivers for international trade in the context of rapidly changing global dynamics. The President stated that, with a long-standing tradition in training, research, and international cooperation, Foreign Trade University always strives to contribute to Vietnam’s trade development through connecting knowledge, policy, and business. In this spirit, the Vietnam Forum on International Trade 2025 is not only an annual academic activity of the University, but also a platform for multi-dimensional dialogue and cooperation, contributing to shaping a sustainable trade development strategy for Vietnam in the new era.
This year’s event is even more meaningful as Foreign Trade University is implementing various activities toward the celebration of its 65th anniversary – an important milestone affirming FTU’s pioneering spirit and commitment in education, research, and international integration.
In the welcome speech, Mr. Zhang Xiangchen – Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – expressed high appreciation for the achievements that Vietnam has attained in nearly two decades since joining the WTO.
He emphasized that Vietnam has become one of the world’s most dynamic trading economies, illustrated by its increasingly strong export capacity, deep integration, and active role in the multilateral trading system.
The Deputy Director-General of the WTO also recognized the contributions of Foreign Trade University in promoting research, policy dialogue, and high-quality human resource training, contributing to spreading the spirit of integration and sustainable development that the Forum aims for.
On behalf of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam in Geneva, Dr. Pham Quang Huy expressed recognition and high appreciation for the efforts of Foreign Trade University in promoting research, training, and spreading knowledge on international trade and economic integration.
He emphasized that academic initiatives, cooperation programs, and international dialogues initiated by the University have made practical contributions to enhancing Vietnam’s integration capacity, while demonstrating Vietnam’s proactive and positive spirit in the multilateral trading system.
His speech also affirmed the role of Foreign Trade University as an important bridge between academia, policy-making agencies, and the business community in the country’s deep integration process.
In the keynote speech, Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Hien – Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade – emphasized that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) continue to be an important driver promoting Vietnam’s trade growth in the current period.
According to her, effectively taking advantage of tariff preferences through rules of origin not only helps Vietnamese goods enhance competitiveness and expand markets, but also enables domestic enterprises to participate more deeply in global value chains.
She affirmed that mastering and effectively applying rules of origin will be a key factor for Vietnam’s sustainable export growth in the coming time.
The Roundtable Discussion titled “Exploring New Growth Drivers: Shaping Vietnam’s International Trade Strategy” chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Huong – Director of the WTO Chairs Program at Foreign Trade University – attracted many domestic and international experts who shared insights on new growth drivers of Vietnam’s economy.
Speaking at the discussion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Ngoc Tien – Vice President of Foreign Trade University – stated that there are currently four key drivers promoting economic development: (1) expanding participation in bilateral and multilateral FTAs, (2) developing digital trade associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, (3) promoting sustainable trade and green growth, and (4) deeper participation in global value chains.
He emphasized that CPTPP and EVFTA continue to be two important drivers for growth and integration, while digital trade will open up opportunities for more equitable access among countries thanks to technology enhancing transparency and trade efficiency.
From an international perspective, Prof. Tsai Fang Chen – Co-Chair of the WTO Chairs Program at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Taiwan) – stated that digital trade is becoming a key factor of growth, illustrated by the application of digital signatures and cross-border electronic contracts.
From the business perspective, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam – Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) – shared that Vietnam’s seafood industry is striving to take advantage of opportunities from FTAs to expand markets and enhance competitiveness, contributing to sustainable export growth.
Continuing the program, three parallel sessions were held, attracting interest from many experts, guests, and students.
Session 1 (English) with the topic “From Local Identity to National Value: Breakthrough Pathways in International Trade” chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Binh – WTO Chairs Program, Foreign Trade University – focused on discussing ways to leverage local identity to elevate national value in international trade.
Session 2 (English) with the topic “Sustainable Trade Strategies in the Era of Global Emergence” chaired by Dr. Vu Kim Ngan – Deputy Director of the WTO Chairs Program, Foreign Trade University – focused on solutions for developing sustainable trade amid deep integration.
Session 3 (Vietnamese) with the topic “Shifting Advantages and Legal Challenges: Strategies for Participating in Global Supply Chains in the Era of AI and Semiconductors” chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Huong – Director of the WTO Chairs Program, Foreign Trade University – focused on analyzing opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese enterprises amid rapidly changing global technology.
In the three parallel sessions, delegates, lecturers, and students exchanged and shared many multi-dimensional perspectives on how Vietnam can effectively harness new growth drivers, including digital trade, sustainable trade, next-generation free trade agreements, and enhancing its position in global value chains.
