Forty years since implementing the Doi Moi (Renovation) process, Vietnam has achieved remarkable socio-economic development and international economic integration. From a modest starting point in international trade, Vietnam’s accession to the WTO in 2007 and subsequent participation in numerous new-generation free trade agreements since 2015 have elevated the country into the top 20 economies in terms of global trade volume.
The main drivers of Vietnam’s trade growth have traditionally relied on its natural advantages, such as abundant natural resources and low-cost labor. However, the global, regional, and domestic trade landscapes are undergoing profound changes amidst emerging challenges. Geopolitical upheavals, unprecedented health crises, the rise of protectionism and unilateralism are eroding confidence in the multilateral trade system. Additionally, increasing demands to address climate change, uphold non-traditional trade values, foster innovation, accelerate digital transformation as well as advance science and technology are mounting pressure on economies. In this new context, the traditional advantages that once fueled Vietnam’s international trade may now pose barriers to sustainable development and trade competitiveness of enterprises. It is therefore imperative for Vietnam to reassess and adjust its growth model and identify new drivers for trade growth in alignment with the country’s medium- and long-term development goals, particularly the vision for 2045.
The Vietnam Forum on International Trade 2025, under the framework of the WTO Chairs Programme at Foreign Trade University, with the theme “New drivers for trade growth in Vietnam’s era of national rising”, presents an opportunity for policymakers, researchers, scholars, academics, businesses, and stakeholders to discuss traditional growth drivers and propose recommendations for building a new trade growth model for Vietnam.
The Organizing Committee cordially invites policymakers, researchers, scholars, lecturers, enterprises, and relevant stakeholders to contribute research papers to the Forum. Submission of abstracts: by 01 July 2025. Abstracts should not exceed 500 words and must include a short academic biography of the author(s). Please send to: ftu_wtochair@ftu.edu.vn (cc: nguyenminhphuong@ftu.edu.vn).
For more information and important deadlines, please see here.
Sincerely thank you for your cooperation !
