How Vietnamese firms can obtain a green passport to Europe

Vietnamese firms seeking access to Europe’s food market face high standards and multiple barriers, according to Dr. Hoang Van Viet, a lecturer at UEH and founder of GIBA (Global Thinkers Business Community). Speaking at a workshop titled “Green Passport for Vietnamese Food” in Ho Chi Minh City, he said the “green passport” is not a single certificate, but a set of conditions that enables products to enter demanding markets such as the EU.

“Green passport” as a supply-chain compliance concept

Dr. Viet said European regulators do not inspect every product in detail at entry. Instead, they supervise the supply chain through certification. For the European Union, sustainability standards are a core requirement, alongside traceability to demonstrate compliance.

“In other words, we are not just selling products; we must prove how the products were produced and transported,” he said. He cited coffee as an example of a sector with high systemic complexity, requiring traceability from cultivation areas and residue control through production and processing to export.

He noted that coffee involves multiple certificates such as UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). He added that when Vietnam and the EU sign a free trade agreement, Europe has accepted these Vietnamese certifications.

Four elements behind the “green passport”

Dr. Viet described the “green passport” as a combination of four elements:

• Legal requirements, covering food safety, labeling, and residue controls.
• Certification, including state certification, independent third-party certification, and retailer certification.
• Transparency, related to traceability and data.
• Social and environmental responsibility.

He emphasized that Europe is developing new certifications to reduce deforestation. While he said many Vietnamese agricultural sectors do not involve deforestation, firms still need evidence that can be verified by consumers and regulators far from the origin.

Dr. Viet also addressed the idea that Europe only checks whether a product is “good.” He said the EU requires products to be produced in the right way, with guaranteed traceability and transparency. He used fruits and vegetables as an example, noting that they may look less pristine or taste different than in Vietnam, but the market value depends on traceable and documented production.

Why certification is more than paperwork

Dr. Viet said a common misunderstanding is that certifications are merely “a list of papers,” which can discourage farmers due to perceived paperwork burdens. He argued that this mindset must change.

“Farmers must be treated as professionals in the agricultural sector. Certification is a structured, mandatory system,” he said, adding that businesses should align their approach with the certification structure to avoid wasting time and money without gaining access to the most demanding markets.

How firms can obtain the “green passport”

To help firms plan, Dr. Viet grouped certifications into categories:

1) Mandatory certificates

These include food safety requirements such as HACCP, traceability, and anti-deforestation certifications.

2) Common food-safety certifications

Examples include GlobalGAP and ISO.

3) Value-added certifications

These include Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, MSC/ASC, or carbon standards. Dr. Viet said these certifications can help raise selling prices by about 10% to 30% in markets willing to pay.

4) Positioning-oriented certifications

These include PGI, PDO, and religious certifications such as Halal and Kosher, which can support brand differentiation.

Choosing the right certification for the right product and market

Dr. Viet said not every certification can meet all requirements. Businesses must determine which certifications fit specific products and target markets, rather than pursuing certifications based only on trends.

He said the business is best positioned to decide which certification to choose based on customer needs. As examples, he cited that for mangoes entering Europe, GlobalGAP is appropriate, while for shrimp, ASC would be the choice.

Impact and implementation focus

In summary, Dr. Viet said enterprises need to understand standards, select the right certifications, and implement a system that matches their products and markets. He stressed that certification is not a routine procedure but a strategic framework, and that companies with strong products but weak systems and no certification strategy need proper guidance.