VIRI's Blog

The Project Promoting air Trade in Vietnam funded by the EU was implemented over 3 years 2014–2017 with the main objectives of: (1) Assess the potential for Fair Trade (FT) in Vietnam, (2) Raise awareness and promote FT in Vietnam, (3) Build FT capacity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam that comply with European market access requirements, (4) Develop market linkages between FT companies in Vietnam and European FT buyers while also expanding FT channels in Vietnam, (5) Develop Fair Trade policy in Vietnam. The project was successfully implemented, achieving all indicators, outputs, and expected results on schedule. Notably, some outputs even exceeded initial expectations, particularly in terms of export revenue and domestic FT sales.
The project: Promoting fair trade in Vietnam, funded by the European Union, was implemented over a three year period from 2014 to 2017, with the main objectives of:
(1) Assess the potential for fair trade (FT) in Vietnam;
(2) Raise awareness and promote fair trade practices nationwide
(3) Build FT capacity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam that comply with European market access requirements;
(4) Develop market linkages between Vietnamese fair trade businesses and European FT buyers, while also expanding domestic FT distribution channels;
(5) Support the development of fair trade policy in Vietnam.

The project was successfully implemented, achieving all indicators, outputs, and expected results on schedule. Notably, some outputs even exceeded initial expectations, particularly in terms of export revenue and domestic FT sales.
Export markets for certified FT companies grew significantly. Some businesses, such as Bobi Craft and Fagi, doubled their export revenues since joining the project. All other companies reported revenue increases of 20-50% since 2015. In the domestic market, growth was even more substantial: Eakiet Cooperative tripled its sales, Eatu Cooperative doubled theirs, and Bobi Craft achieved a fourfold increase. Retail sales through Vietnam’s FT store network rose more than threefold from 2015.
Fair trade has also contributed to enhancing the positive image of Vietnam’s agricultural and handicraft products. This impact may be one reason why the project received exceptional support from the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, particularly from Ms. Miriam Garcia Ferrer, Trade Counselor and Head of Economic and Trade Section; Ms. Colette O’Driscoll, Program Director, Cooperation and Development Section; and other members of the Delegation and EU-MUTRAP Project Management Unit.
The project also received enthusiastic backing from the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Department of Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Processing and Salt Production (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), and other related government agencies.
In May 2016, the project had the honor of hosting the Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Vietnam and the Belgian Ambassador during their visit to Dak Lak Province. The Ambassador highly praised the initiative and expressed strong support for the development of fair trade in Vietnam.
VIRI, together with industry associations (Vitas, Vicofa, Vietcraft) remains committed to advancing fair trade in their respective sectors. The network of FT stores continues to promote FT products even after the project’s conclusion. Furthermore, VIRI, in collaboration with associations and partners like VNCPC and CCS, continues to develop initiatives to expand fair trade products into other countries in the region.
We are pleased to share with you some of the project’s achievements in the enclosed commemorative postcard set