Vietnam welcomes removal from EU tax blacklist
The country will move to Annex II for reassessment, covering partners committed to bringing tax legislation into line with agreed governance standards.
Vietnam has welcomed its removal from the European Union’s tax blacklist, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. The Council of the European Union said recent tax reforms prompted the removal of both Vietnam and Panama from Annex I.
The EU has approved Vietnam for reassessment and will place it in Annex II. That category covers cooperation with international partners and their commitments to amend legislation to comply with agreed tax governance standards.
Hang said the decision reflected Vietnam’s work on its laws, policies and enforcement to support a transparent, stable investment environment consistent with international standards. She said the reforms safeguarded businesses and investors, strengthened competitiveness and supported international economic cooperation.
Vietnam remained ready to cooperate with partners, including the EU, on equal and mutually beneficial terms, Hang said. She identified tax transparency, corporate governance and a fair, sustainable global business environment as areas for that cooperation.
Introduced in 2017 as part of the EU’s external taxation strategy, the list seeks to support better tax governance globally. It undergoes two updates each year; the next is scheduled for February 2027.
