During European Council President António Costa’s official visit to Viet Nam on 28–29 January 2026, Viet Nam and the European Union announced the upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Hanoi, 29 January 2026 – According to VnEconomy (citing VNA and the Government Portal), President Luong Cuong hosted an official welcome ceremony for Mr Costa at the Presidential Palace on the morning of 29 January, after Mr Costa arrived in Hanoi on 28 January at the President’s invitation.
At the press conference Mr Costa said the upgrade reflects the highest level of bilateral cooperation and opens a new framework for cooperation from trade and investment to green and digital transition, security and people-to-people exchanges.
Background
- Viet Nam and the EU established diplomatic relations on 28 November 1990; 2025 marked the 35th anniversary.
- The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), signed in 2012, entered into force on 1 October 2016.
- EVFTA and EVIPA were signed on 30 June 2019; EVFTA took effect on 1 August 2020, while EVIPA is awaiting ratification by some EU member states.
- According to the source, two-way trade rose from US$44.1 billion (2020) to US$64.6 billion (2024) and US$61 billion in the first ten months of 2025; EU investment in Viet Nam rose from US$25.5 billion to nearly US$35 billion.
Original source: VnEconomy (29/01/2026): Viet Nam – EU upgrade relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Photo: VNA.
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