EuroCham’s 16th Whitebook Successfully Launched in Hanoi  

On Friday, 11 April, EuroCham successfully launched our 16^th Whitebook entitled “Administrative Procedure Reform & Dual Transformation, Realising a Sustainable & Green Economy” in Ha Noi.  

The event welcomed distinguished guests, including:  

EuroCham’s Chairman Bruno Jaspaert, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, 19 Sector Commitees representatives, 9 affiliated Business Associations, Sponsors, Corporate Partners, EuroCham members, Diplomatic Missions, as well as members of the Vietnamese government also witnessed our Whitebook launch.  

Confidence in EU-Vietnam’s Partnership

In the context of global uncertainty caused by the newly introduced US Tariff, H.E. Julien Guerrier affirmed in his keynote speech that “the EU remains a reliable trade partner to Vietnam”, committing to boosting mutual economic growth.  

In his welcoming speech, EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert highlighted his confidence in Vietnam’s resilience: “tariffs come and go, but Vietnam will stay”. He also presented a cross-sectoral framework centred around five Must-Win Battles: entry visa policy, immigration and airport infrastructure, work permits, VAT refunds, and customs procedures.

“Must-Win Battles” from EuroCham’s Sector Committees

At this year’s Whitebook Launch, we took a sharper focus: each Sector Committee cut through complexity to define its “𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁-𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀”: the most critical reforms needed to unlock growth, boost confidence, and deliver impact. Discover the “Must-Win Battles” from EuroCham’s 19 Sector Committees below:  

• Digital Sector Committee: Co-Chairman Bruno Sivanandan emphasised the need for clear, business-friendly cybersecurity regulations and laid out key strategies to position Vietnam as a competitive semiconductor hub in the global supply chain. 

• Food, Agri & Aqua Business Sector Committee: Co-Chairwoman Nguyen Thu Thuy called for a One Health Approach to tackle antimicrobial resistance in animal production, promoted sustainable and resilient agricultural value chains, and advocated for aligning Vietnam’s regulations and standards with international practices. 

• European Standard Medicines Sector Committee: Chairman Gregoris Charitonos urged for policies supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturing to boost healthcare resilience and innovation. He also highlighted the need to streamline drug registration procedures and extend marketing authorisation. 

• Wine & Spirits Sector Committee: Chairman Olivier Fages called for deferring any proposed increase at this time and reconvening the proposal when we have clarity on tariffs and its impact. These adjustments aim to support legitimate wine & spirit trade, protect related industries, and ensure a fairer market environment. 

• Green Growth Sector Committee: Co-Chairman Stuart Livesey underscored the importance of implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to drive circular economy efforts. He also emphasised the need to streamline the legal framework for renewable energy projects to accelerate Vietnam’s green transition. 

• Pharma Group Sector Committee: Chairman Darrell Oh advocated for a more inviting environment for investment in healthcare to achieve universal health coverage. He also highlighted the importance of improving the ease of doing business and reducing administrative hurdles for pharmaceutical companies to enhance Vietnam’s healthcare ecosystem. 

• Human Resources & Training Sector Committee: Chairman William Badger called for streamlining the Work Permit process for foreign professionals to reduce administrative hurdles. He also recommended extending the validity of labor outsourcing permits and broadening the list of eligible outsourced roles—ensuring businesses can meet demand while safeguarding workers’ rights. 

• Construction Sector Committee: Chairman Michel Cassagnes championed the development of Unified Green Building Standards and the adoption of EuroCodes as national benchmarks—a crucial step toward advancing sustainable, high-quality construction practices in Vietnam. 

• Transportation & Logistics Sector Committee (TLSC): TLSC Board Member Koen Soenens emphasised the need to retain On-spot Import-Export mechanisms, reinforcing Vietnam’s competitiveness as an investment destination. To meet the rapidly evolving demand for goods and sustainability, Vietnam must also prioritize infrastructure development and implement a clear Industry Sustainability Roadmap. 

• Medical Devices & Diagnostics Sector Committee: Vice Chairman Torben Minko underscored the importance of aligning Vietnam’s new Law on Medical Devices with international standards to enhance patient safety and transparency. He also advocated for a shift to Value-based Procurement, prioritizing service quality and patient outcomes over volume-driven approaches. 

• Tax & Transfer Pricing Sector Committee: Chairman Thomas McClelland called for expedition of VAT refunds process, clearer regulations on Indirect Capital Transfer Taxation (aligning with international regulations), and consistent guidance on Tax Treaty Relief. These recommendations are key to ensuring fair, transparent, and globally aligned tax practices. 

• Sustainable Finance Sector Committee: Chairman Giando Zappia proposed the development of new financial products—such as green letters of credit, sustainability-linked loans, and green trade credit insurance—to support Vietnam’s export strategy and green growth goals. 

• Legal Sector Committee: Vice Chairman Leif Schneider emphasised the need for timely issuance of Land Use Rights Certificates for foreigners. He also advocated for stronger ESG compliance mechanisms and legal clarity to boost transparency and investor confidence. 

• Mobility Sector Committee: To drive Vietnam’s green transportation transition, EuroCham called for: Stronger incentives for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), Investment in EV ecosystem and tiered SCT, and Inclusive Urban Mobility models that integrate motorcycles with public transport. 

• Cosmetics Sector Committee: Simplifying import procedures for EU cosmetics can build a fairer, more competitive market while safeguarding consumer health. 

• CropLife Sector Committee: Adopting a science-based legal framework for pesticides—clear definitions, streamlined registration, and capacity-building—is essential for safe, sustainable agriculture. 

• Nutritional Foods Group Sector Committee: To foster food innovation, EuroCham urged the government to avoid reinstating pre-inspection measures and instead implement modern, risk-based management systems. 

• Intellectual Property Rights Sector Committee: To develop a fairer and more competitive business environment, the IPR Sector Committee called for: Streamlined copyright registration, Clear and consistent guidelines on well-known trademarks, and Transparent criteria for criminal prosecution 

• Women in Business Sector Committee: Using real-life examples, EuroCham’s Advocacy Manager Diep Truong emphasised the need for Equal Parental Leave for both mothers and fathers. Empowering families to share parental responsibilities not only promotes gender equality but also helps address the gender pay gap and supports long-term workforce participation. 

EuroCham Vietnam would like to express our gratitude to this year’s sponsors of our Whitebook Launch: CropLife Vietnam, Nutritional Foods Group Sector Committee, Pharma Group Sector Committee, Royal De Heus, and European Standard Medicines Sector Committee. Their partnership helped us bring key industry insights and policy recommendations to the forefront. 
 
For full coverage of EuroCham’s curated policy recommendations for the government, access our 16^th Whitebook HERE. 

For more details, access our full Press Kit.  

💡The Whitebook is EuroCham’s flagship annual publication, consolidating policy recommendations and industry-specific insights from the chamber’s 1,400 members. For 15 years, EuroCham’s Whitebook has been a reliable guide for strategic planning and action at the government and business levels.