The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Vietnam has always been a responsible member of the international community and will continue to be committed to improving tax transparency and strengthening international tax cooperation.
On the 22nd, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the EU's decision to include Vietnam in the list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions (commonly known as the tax blacklist).
According to Vietnamese news outlets, foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said: “Vietnam consistently values cooperation and exchanges with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), especially in ensuring a transparent and efficient tax system, so as to create a stable, transparent, and convenient investment and business environment for the business community, including foreign enterprises and investors.”
On February 17, the European Commission updated the tax blacklist, adding Vietnam to the list. The EU’s decision was based on peer reviews from the OECD Global Forum, as Vietnam did not fully meet international standards for “exchange of tax information upon request,” resulting in Vietnam being listed on the blacklist. There are currently 10 jurisdictions on this list.
Pham Thu Hang said that during the OECD review process, Vietnam had adopted recommendations and amended or supplemented relevant regulations to better comply with international standards in terms of tax transparency and information exchange.
She added that the Vietnamese government is implementing a national action plan to carry out the OECD’s recommendations, while also strengthening cooperation in the tax field with partners such as the EU, with a focus on achieving common development and prosperity.
Countries or regions included on the tax blacklist may face defensive measures implemented by EU member states, especially regarding cross-border payments and documentation requirements.
Vietnam was previously placed on the EU’s tax grey list, but was removed from the grey list in October 2025 after fulfilling its commitments on country-by-country reporting.