Establishing a legal framework for carbon tax in Vietnam under the impact of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement

Vietnam is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing critical challenges, such as rising sea levels, increasing frequency of extreme weather events and substantial greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption. In response, Vietnam has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is actively exploring carbon-pricing mechanisms. In this context, the implementation of a carbon tax has emerged as a key market-based instrument to internalize the external costs of carbon emissions, incentivize industries to adopt cleaner technologies and drive a transition towards a low-carbon economy. This approach not only aligns with global sustainable development goals, but also strengthens Vietnam’s competitiveness in international markets, where low-carbon products are increasingly prioritized. Given the current dynamics of economic cooperation with the European Union under the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), it is imperative for Vietnam to thoroughly learn the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which prevents “carbon leakage” by imposing a carbon price on imports of certain goods from countries with less stringent environmental regulations. Critical analyses of the CBAM rules can serve as a basis for Vietnam to design and implement a carbon tax system that effectively addresses sustainable development goals.