Berlin, July 29 -- Five years after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect in August 2020, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Germany Dang Thi Thanh Phuong described it as a transformative step in Vietnam's integration into the global economy.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency, Phuong touted the deal's role in driving trade growth while flagging challenges that could cap its potential without swift reforms.

Since the EVFTA kicked in, trade between Vietnam and the EU jumped 46.5% to 64.6 billion USD through 2024, up from 44.1 billion USD in the prior five years, Vietnam Customs data showed.

Exports to the EU surged 56.4% to 48.7 billion USD, while imports rose 13% to 15.9 billion USD. In Germany alone, two-way trade climbe...