Rome, July 29 -- Over the past five years, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has served as a vital pillar in deepening economic and trade ties between Vietnam and Italy, said Duong Phuong Thao, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Italy.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the EVFTA coming into effect (August 1, 2020 - 2025), Thao said that the agreement is a powerful catalyst for growth, helping both countries navigate global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and inflation.

Despite global supply chain disruptions, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Italy surged by 49%, from 4.62 billion USD in 2020 to 6.91 billion USD in 2024. Vietnam's exports rose by 58% to...