With its large population, growing middle class, rapid macro-economic growth and strong foreign direct investment potential, Vietnam offers many opportunities for Canadians for years to come. Our exporters will also benefit from Vietnam’s free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which provide market access to the broader Asia-Pacific region. Bureaucracy, corruption, infrastructure gaps and the dominance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) pose challenges, so thorough due diligence is necessary when looking for buyers, partners and representatives. Also, be prepared to take time and resources to develop strong local relationships and appoint a local representative to act as an importer/distributor for direct exports.