EuroCham Vietnam announces new board of directors, new strategic pillars

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) on Friday unveiled its new board of directors for the 2026 term, after convening its annual general meeting (AGM) the day before.

The AGM brought together more than 300 members in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and virtually across the country to reflect on a year of achievements and unveil the new board members.

The new board, comprising a mix of returning and incoming members, will continue advancing EuroCham’s mission to strengthen economic ties between Europe and Vietnam while supporting a more competitive and sustainable business environment.

It consists of nine directly elected members and eight appointed representatives from EuroCham’s affiliated national business associations.

Charting EuroCham’s strategic vision

Looking ahead, EuroCham chairman Bruno Jaspaert outlined several strategic pillars that will guide the chamber’s activities in the coming year, aligned with its long-term impact 2030 vision to deliver tangible value for both members and Vietnam’s broader economic development.

A central priority will be strengthening EuroCham’s advocacy work through the launch of Whitebook Dialogue Week in May 2026. This new initiative will bring together industry leaders and Vietnamese Government counterparts across key ministries for a series of targeted discussions on sector-specific challenges and policy solutions.

Drawing on insights from EuroCham’s 20 Sector Committees and its network of more than 1,400 member companies, the initiative aims to transform the Whitebook from a policy publication into a continuous platform for dialogue and collaboration, connecting business expertise with government priorities to support practical and effective reforms.

EuroCham also announced a refreshed format for its annual Business Awards. The new structure will still unite award winners from all nine affiliated European Business Associations, culminating in a flagship event that celebrates the spirit of Team Europe and recognizes companies contributing to Vietnam’s dynamic business landscape.

In addition, chairman Jaspaert deep dived into the new interactive dashboard for EuroCham’s flagship Business Confidence Index (BCI). The upgraded platform provides deeper insights across sectors and company sizes, offering more granular data to support business strategy and policy discussions.

With quarterly thematic analysis and enhanced user experience, the BCI will continue to serve as a key barometer of European business sentiment in Vietnam.

Chairman Jaspaert emphasised the importance of these initiatives in a rapidly changing global environment: "The world as we know it is changing by the minute. In this volatile global landscape, EuroCham aims to remain a stable and trusted partner for our 1,400 members: delivering concrete value while continuing to bridge European businesses and Vietnamese policymakers.

"Our Impact 2030 vision ensures that every strategic pillar we pursue contributes to Vietnam’s new era of growth. Over the next 12 months, I look forward to working closely with our new Board of Directors to continue delivering tangible results for our members, strengthening their resilience, competitiveness, and long-term growth in Vietnam."

Having served as chairman for the past 18 months, Jaspaert has played an active role in advancing EuroCham’s advocacy agenda, including the chamber’s flagship “Must-Win Battles” initiative aimed at addressing key regulatory bottlenecks. Through regular engagement with senior government leaders and policymakers, EuroCham has further strengthened its position as a trusted bridge between European businesses and Vietnam’s decision-makers.

EU-Vietnam partnership: Entering a new phase

Reflecting on the recent EU-Vietnam Global Gateway Business and Investment Forum, Julien Gerrier, EU Ambassador to Vietnam, noted the growing momentum of the bilateral partnership with the newly upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and its expanding role in driving investment, innovation, and sustainable growth.

"On the basis of the recent upgrade of the EU-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and our impactful FTA, the EU and Vietnam want to build a stronger future together. The Global Gateway Business and Investment Forum this week showed what that future can look like, with projects in energy, transport and digital infrastructure. Now is the moment to translate our ambitions into real business opportunities and outcomes for both sides."

The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam) recently elected its first-ever national Board of Governors, marking a historic milestone in the chamber’s 32-year history.

Since its founding, AmCham Vietnam has operated through two independent chapters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. With the election of the new board, the organization is moving to a unified governance structure for the first time, bringing members from across the country under a single national leadership body.

Founded in 1998, EuroCham Vietnam boasts a substantial membership base comprising over 1,400 companies, solidifying its position as one of the largest foreign chambers operating in Vietnam.

It functions as the "chamber of chambers," encompassing nine prominent national European business associations in Vietnam, which include Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Beluxcham), Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CEEC), Chamber of Commerce and Industry Portugal-Vietnam (CCIPV), Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV), French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vietnam (CCIFV), German Business Association (GBA), Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM), Nordic Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (Nordcham), and Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (SCCV)

EuroCham's diversified influence is underpinned by its extensive network of 20 specialized Sector Committees. Serving as think tanks within their respective industries, these committees provide invaluable expertise, steer policy recommendations, and stimulate industry-specific dialogues. This organizational framework guarantees that the concerns and viewpoints of diverse sectors are actively considered, thereby moulding EuroCham's cross-sectoral agenda and magnifying its overall influence.