Vietnamese firms promote handicraft exports to EU

THE HANOI TIMES — The European Union (EU) market still offers significant growth opportunities for Vietnamese furniture and handicraft exports, despite of its strict compliance with supply chaing traceability and sustainability standards.

This was highlighted at a seminar on accelerating exports of contemporary lifestyle products to Europe, held on August 15 by the Vietnamese Business Association in France and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam.

The EU, especially France, is a promising export market for Vietnam, with the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) continuing to offer tariff advantages for Vietnamese businesses after five years of implementation, according to the association.

Tra Le, Market Expansion Director, Source of Asia, said that exporters face challenges including global tariff tensions, new EU sustainable product regulations, stricter supply chain certification requirements, and high logistics costs.

To maintain competitiveness, firms should obtain circular material credentials; use certified or recycled wood; adopt clean production technologies; focus on creative designs for compact living spaces; and actively join trade promotion events, especially in Europe.

Lawyer Chu Lan Phuong of Ceven Law stressed the need for exporters to understand EU’s general product safety rules (GPSR), product liability directives (PLD), and related regulations.

She advised diversifying distribution channels from retail chains and e-commerce to trade fairs and standardizing product design, labeling, and intellectual property protection from the outset.