Proactively integrating into the international community in the new situation.

In the context of a rapidly changing world, increasingly deep integration trends, and intensifying international competition, the province has identified the need to proactively expand international cooperation to enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and create new impetus for growth.

In the context of a rapidly changing world , increasingly deep integration trends, and intensifying international competition, the province has identified the need to proactively expand international cooperation to enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and create new impetus for growth.

International integration is playing a crucial role in the socio -economic development of the province. In the photo: A view of Vinh Long city.

Proactively integrate and expand markets.

After one year of operation, the Provincial Steering Committee for International Economic Integration has contributed to positive changes in trade promotion, investment attraction, business support, and promoting the local image to the world. From trade promotion programs in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong (China)... to supporting businesses in participating in new generation free trade agreements (FTAs), international integration is opening up broader development opportunities for businesses and people.

According to Mr. Pham Phuoc Trai, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, one of the highlights is the widespread dissemination of information on integration. In 2025, more than 1,000 businesses will receive information on technical barriers, rules of origin, trade defense, tariffs, export markets, and international trade policies.

The province's press, radio, and television agencies have strengthened their special sections and columns on integration, contributing to raising awareness among officials, businesses, and the public about new-generation free trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and RCEP. The province has organized and coordinated eight training courses on international economic integration with over 1,000 participants. A thematic workshop on adapting to US tax policies helped businesses identify challenges and find solutions for sustainable export development.

Total import and export turnover in 2025 is estimated to reach over 5.6 billion USD, an increase of more than 17% compared to the same period last year. Of which, exports reached 3.63 billion USD, exceeding the set plan. The structure of goods continues to shift towards deep processing, increasing added value and maintaining a trade surplus. Meanwhile, exports in the first four months of 2026 reached 1.23 billion USD, achieving 30.02% of the plan and increasing by 5.62% compared to the same period.

Foreign trade promotion activities were vibrant, with numerous delegations visiting Hong Kong (China), Japan, and Laos. Simultaneously, meetings and discussions were held with many international organizations and businesses from Denmark, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Through these efforts, many distinctive local products, OCOP products, and processed agricultural products were promoted to international markets.

The province focuses on supporting businesses to enhance their competitiveness. It regularly updates information on tariff reduction schedules, import market standards, traceability, and sustainable development. It supports businesses in participating in many major international trade fairs and exhibitions such as Vietnam Foodexpo, HAIFEX-Anuga Asia, FIN Brasil, trade delegations to India, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, and Belgium; the Vietnam-Bangladesh Business Forum; and the Winning with Vietnam's program…

Improve operational efficiency

In the agricultural sector, the province is promoting the development of safe production models, applying high technology, VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic production. To date, the province has 839 registered planting areas covering nearly 25,000 hectares; many key agricultural products have improved packaging and enhanced quality to meet export requirements.

In the field of science and technology, numerous training courses have been organized on intellectual property, productivity and quality; support has been provided to businesses in developing basic standards, registering trademarks, registering barcode numbers and protecting intellectual property assets; many local products have been developed with geographical indications and certification marks to enhance brand value…

Many cultural and artistic activities contribute to promoting the image of the people and homeland of Vinh Long to tourists and honoring the province's distinctive products.

In the fields of culture, sports, and tourism, the province actively promotes the image of its homeland and people through cultural events, festivals, tourism activities, and art programs. Many tours and routes have been surveyed and developed; digital media products, travel guides, and culinary guides have been perfected to serve domestic and international tourists.

In particular, the outstanding achievements of Vinh Long sports at the 33rd SEA Games continue to contribute to promoting the image of a dynamic, integrated, and culturally rich locality… Investment promotion efforts in economic zones and industrial parks continue to yield many positive results.

During the year, the Provincial Economic Zone Management Board received and worked with over 190 investors; granted licenses for 8 new investment projects with a total registered capital of over 3.5 trillion VND. Areas of interest included agricultural processing, supporting industries, logistics, industrial park infrastructure, energy, and ecotourism.

However, the integration process still faces many difficulties. According to Mr. Nguyen Tuong Nam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial Business Association: "Not only large enterprises but also small and medium-sized enterprises and startups are very interested in integration. Businesses really want support from programs and legal assistance so that they can be proactive in production, business, and deeper integration."

Mr. Le Minh Chi, Deputy Chief of the Provincial People's Committee Office, stated that the province currently has many products that are competitive both domestically and internationally. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on building the image and positioning the province's brand through these products.

"We have developed a set of criteria for green tourism. Businesses are very practical, considering whether they can apply these criteria and what benefits they will gain. Therefore, we also need to develop additional criteria and assessments, determining the level of support and what kind of support will be provided to businesses participating in the integration process if they meet any criteria," Mr. Chi said.

Strengthening investment promotion

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, Standing Committee Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, stated that businesses, especially FDI enterprises, are currently very interested in green production and the use of renewable energy. Some businesses have already raised concerns about the need for green energy, renewable energy, and rooftop solar power. Therefore, the province needs to proactively address this demand and develop a roadmap to best adapt to international integration in the current period.

Meanwhile, for domestic businesses, the current demand is not only to sell products but also to sell the right quality, the right goods, and on time... Therefore, changing production mindsets and digital transformation in business are essential, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. These are necessary steps in the integration process.

In the coming period, the province is determined to continue promoting digital transformation, supporting businesses in participating in e-commerce, improving product quality and productivity, and strengthening information and warnings on trade defense. At the same time, it will strengthen investment promotion, expand international cooperation, develop high-quality human resources, and strongly promote the image of Vinh Long.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Truc Son, emphasized that departments, agencies, and members of the Steering Committee for International Economic Integration need to continue to raise awareness of the role of international integration in socio-economic development.

Actively adhere to the new guidelines and policies of the Central Government to effectively implement programs and plans on integration; strengthen coordination in investment promotion and trade promotion, and support businesses in effectively utilizing free trade agreements, especially new-generation free trade agreements.

"Review the difficulties and obstacles arising during the integration process in order to promptly advise and propose solutions to overcome them, contributing to promoting the economic development of the province in the new phase."

The Steering Committee for International Economic Integration recommends that central ministries and agencies continue to organize in-depth training courses on international trade, FTAs, technical barriers to trade, and rules of origin; strengthen courses to improve foreign language skills, negotiation skills, and international policy analysis skills for officials and civil servants. Consider improving investment incentive policies for economic zones and industrial parks in the Mekong Delta region.

Text and photos: KHANH DUY

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/thoi-su/202605/chu-dong-hoi-nhap-quoc-te-trong-tinh-hinh-moi-02d6c7d/