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Resolution 66: Driving Domestic Implementation of International Commitments

In the era of deep global economic integration, Vietnam’s active participation in next-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has become a cornerstone strategy for growth and sustainable development. With 17 FTAs already in force, the country has built a wide-reaching trade network that expands market access, attracts foreign investment, and accelerates institutional reforms aligned with international standards.

Yet, Vietnam’s implementation of its international commitments faces persistent challenges. The process of “domesticating” international obligations into national laws has often been slow, fragmented, and hindered by complex legislative procedures and weak coordination mechanisms. These delays diminish the effectiveness of integration and undermine Vietnam’s legal credibility.

Resolution 66-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on April 30, 2025, directly addresses these issues. It introduces a strategic, institutional, and procedural framework to ensure that international commitments are transposed into Vietnamese law in a timely and consistent manner.

Why domestic implementation matters

Modern FTAs extend beyond tariff reductions, shaping institutional frameworks in areas like e-commerce, digital trade, and cross-border data flows. For instance, CPTPP and EVFTA commitments prohibit customs duties on digital transactions and allow data to move freely across borders. These provisions, however, may conflict with Article 26 of Vietnam’s 2018 Cybersecurity Law, which requires foreign service providers to store Vietnamese user data locally and establish a domestic presence. Such inconsistencies create legal hurdles for multinational tech firms and complicate Vietnam’s compliance with its commitments.

Environmental and labor standards further highlight the challenge. CPTPP and EVFTA demand that members effectively enforce multilateral environmental agreements and prohibit lowering standards to attract investment. These obligations push Vietnam to update its legal system in emerging fields like carbon credits, green finance, and labor rights—areas where existing laws remain incomplete or underdeveloped.

Systemic barriers to implementation

Research indicates that by mid-2025, Vietnam still needed to amend at least five laws, 16 decrees, and 22 circulars to fully align with its FTA obligations. Although important steps have been taken—such as revising the 2023 Law on Electronic Transactions, enacting Decree 13/2023 on personal data protection, and issuing Decision 21/2025 on green investment classification—many key regulations remain pending.

The slow pace is due to lengthy legislative procedures, involving proposal, review, public consultation, and parliamentary approval, coupled with the absence of a high-level coordinating body dedicated to FTA implementation. In comparison, Singapore uses an inter-agency mechanism for swift transposition, while the EU employs binding directives to harmonize domestic laws across member states. Vietnam’s fragmented approach has left its legal system prone to delays and inconsistencies.

The impact of Resolution 66

Resolution 66 delivers four major breakthroughs:

  1. Institutional reform and legislative planning. It mandates a comprehensive review and coordinated legal adjustment, replacing piecemeal amendments with a systematic roadmap. This reduces overlaps and conflicts between laws and establishes a stable framework for future commitments.

  2. Centralized coordination. A new Central Steering Committee on Institutional Reform, headed by the General Secretary, ensures cross-branch authority to resolve disputes between ministries and enforce accountability. This breaks administrative inertia and strengthens oversight of FTA implementation.

  3. Investment in resources and technology. Resolution 66 prioritizes funding for legislative work and the application of advanced technologies. Artificial intelligence and big data can automate legal reviews, identify conflicts, and support transparent digital platforms that allow businesses and the public to track implementation progress.

  4. International cooperation and capacity building. By encouraging legal collaboration with foreign experts, the resolution enables Vietnam to draft complex legislation on issues like carbon markets and green finance. It also improves dispute resolution capacity and strengthens the skills of domestic lawyers and arbitrators.

Moving from policy to action

For Resolution 66 to deliver its full impact, Vietnam must adopt concrete measures:

  • Establish a Government-level coordination unit dedicated to FTA domestication.

  • Develop a medium-term legislative program aligned with FTA schedules, prioritizing urgent commitments such as cross-border data flows and carbon trading.

  • Create a digital platform to monitor implementation progress, improve transparency, and provide channels for stakeholder feedback.

Strategic significance

Resolution 66 arrives at a critical juncture, as Vietnam strives to bridge the gap between international obligations and domestic law. Its strategic directions—institutional reform, digital transformation, and international legal cooperation—lay a strong foundation for effective integration.

Timely and effective implementation of Resolution 66 will not only accelerate FTA domestication but also enhance Vietnam’s overall legal capacity, creating a transparent and competitive business environment. This is essential for maximizing opportunities from global economic integration and strengthening Vietnam’s position in international trade.

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