The European
Commission (EC) issued a yellow card warning to Vietnam’s seafood industry in 2017
due to concerns about illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This
paper evaluates Vietnam’s efforts to lift the yellow card in the context of the
EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). As a result of the analysis on trade
data, policy responses, and regulatory compliance, the findings highlight
significant progress in legal reforms, vessel monitoring, and seafood
traceability. However, persistent challenges, including incomplete enforcement
and administrative inefficiencies, continue to hinder Vietnam’s compliance with
EU standards. The study underscores the urgency of further regulatory
improvements and stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent an escalation to a
red card, which could severely impact Vietnam’s seafood exports. To fully leverage
the EVFTA’s benefits, Vietnam should achieve compliance with EU regulations and
enhance its fisheries management system.