UAE-Vietnam CEPA In Force: Expanded Market Access And Investment Opportunities
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam has now taken effect, creating a new phase in trade and investment ties. The UAE-Vietnam CEPA cuts or removes most customs duties on goods traded between the two states and sets a structured framework for deeper economic cooperation across many sectors.
Bilateral non-oil trade already shows strong momentum. Vietnam is the UAE’s largest trading partner within ASEAN, with non-oil trade reaching US$12.6 billion in 2024, a 4 percent rise. In 2025, overall trade climbed to $16.05 billion, an increase of 27.4 percent on 2024, and further gains are forecast under the UAE-Vietnam CEPA.
The CEPA removes or sharply lowers tariffs on more than 90 percent of UAE exports to Vietnam, covering 99 percent of their total value. Vietnam, which has an export-driven, fast-growing economy, gains tariff reductions on 95 percent of its product groups into the UAE, also representing 99 percent of import value from Vietnam, helping wider trade flows.
| UAE-Vietnam CEPA measure | Coverage |
|---|---|
| UAE exports with tariffs eliminated or reduced | Over 90% of tariff lines, 99% of export value |
| Vietnam exports with tariffs reduced into UAE | 95% of product categories, 99% of import value |
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, commented, "The implementation of the UAE-Vietnam CEPA represents a significant step forward in our economic partnership, opening new avenues for collaboration and sustainable growth. This agreement is not only set to strengthen trade relations but also to unlock investment opportunities in vital sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and agriculture."
The UAE-Vietnam CEPA forms part of the UAE’s wider trade strategy, which targets AED4 trillion, or about $1.1 trillion, in non-oil trade by 2031. Since the CEPA programme started in September 2021, the UAE has concluded deals with more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, with 15 already active.
These agreements, including the UAE-Vietnam CEPA, provide UAE businesses with access to markets that together cover nearly one quarter of the world’s population. As the CEPA is implemented, officials expect more private sector partnerships, especially in sectors such as renewable energy, technology and agriculture, further linking the UAE with Vietnam and the broader ASEAN region.
With inputs from WAM
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