On 24 February in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai held a working session with EuroCham regarding obstacles in chemical import and export activities. Attending the meeting were representatives from EuroCham member businesses, including AkzoNobel and BASF Vietnam, together with EuroCham’s Head of Hanoi Office cum. External Relations Manager Nguyen Cam Van.
Business Concerns
At the meeting, businesses shared difficulties in obtaining licenses for chemical imports and exports and expressed continued willingness to cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to improve policies in a way that balances safety and enterprises’ interests.
MOIT’s Solutions
Addressing businesses’ concern, Director General of the Chemical Department Phung Manh Ngoc shared solutions implemented by the department:
- The nationwide implementation of the administrative procedures for licensing chemical exports and imports under the guiding decrees of the Chemical Law No. 69/2025/QH15 from 17 January 2026
- Online workshops organised throughout the decree’s signing and promulgation process workshops to disseminate and guide the implementation of the new regulations and address questions, welcoming representatives from 34 provincial Departments of Industry and Trade and many businesses
- The issuance of the Official Dispatch No. 363/BCT-HC requesting local authorities to urgently implement and organize procedures in accordance with the regulations.
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Truong Thanh Hoai also remarked that Vietnam’s legal system is continuously refined to better fit practical realities.
EuroCham highly appreciated the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Chemical Department’s spirit of listening and cooperation and pledged to strengthen coordination and dialogue to ensure the greatest benefits for both citizens and businesses.
What this means for businesses
With the MOIT’s Department of Chemicals understanding of business concerns and the decrees issued to guide administrative procedures and requesting the implementation among local authorities, businesses should gradually see improvements in the licensing process for chemical import and export. Businesses are encouraged to engage in workshops and seminars organised by the MOIT and other ministries to share insights and contribute to a continuously improving and practical legal system in Vietnam.
We would like to extend our appreciation to MOIT and EuroCham representatives for their contributions
MOIT Representatives:
- Mr. Truong Thanh Hoai – Vice Minister
- Mr. Phung Manh Ngoc – Director General, Chemicals Agency
- Mr. Vuong Thanh Chung – Deputy Director General, Chemicals Agency
- Mr. Pham Huy Nam Son – Deputy Director General, Chemicals Agency
- Ms. Do Thanh Ha – Head of the Chemicals Management Division
- Mr. Dao Manh Hung – Acting Director, Chemical Incident Response and Safety Centre
EuroCham Attendees:
- Ms. Van Nguyen – Head of Hanoi Office cum External Relations Manager, EuroCham Vietnam
- Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong – Director of Logistics Development, South Asia Region, AkzoNobel
- Ms. Vu Thi Hong Nhung – Manager in charge of Chemicals and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), AkzoNobel
- Mr. Thieu Minh Triet – Director in charge of Chemicals and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), BASF Vietnam
- Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu – Deputy Director in charge of Chemicals and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), BASF Vietnam
