The EU - VIET NAM FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (EVFTA): How to Get the ‘Yellow Card’ Lifted for Vietnamese Seafood Export?

The European Commission (EC) issued a yellow card warning to Vietnam’s seafood industry in 2017 due to concerns about illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This paper evaluates Vietnam’s efforts to lift the yellow card in the context of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). As a result of the analysis on trade data, policy responses, and regulatory compliance, the findings highlight significant progress in legal reforms, vessel monitoring, and seafood traceability. However, persistent challenges, including incomplete enforcement and administrative inefficiencies, continue to hinder Vietnam’s compliance with EU standards. The study underscores the urgency of further regulatory improvements and stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent an escalation to a red card, which could severely impact Vietnam’s seafood exports. To fully leverage the EVFTA’s benefits, Vietnam should achieve compliance with EU regulations and enhance its fisheries management system.