Vietnamese delegation attends SEAFEC 2026

From 16 to 18 September 2026, a Vietnamese delegation comprising the Ministry of National Defence, together with representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance, attended the 5th Strategic Trade Management Summit (SEAFEC 2026), held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Photo 1. Heads of delegations at the opening session of SEAFEC 2026, Jakarta, 16 September 2026.

SEAFEC 2026 was co-chaired by Indonesia and the United States. The conference brought together more than 300 senior-level delegates from ASEAN, international partners, international organisations, academia and the private sector. This year's themes focused on semiconductor supply chain security, risks arising from artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and the security of supply chains for strategic minerals and rare earths.

The objectives of the conference included: surveying international norms and regional frameworks for STM; sharing lessons on building systems, from political will, legal frameworks and inter-agency coordination to enforcement capacity and engagement with businesses; and identifying new challenges posed by semiconductors, AI and intangible technology transfers (ITT).

Decree No. 81/2019/ND-CP of 11 November 2019 on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction designates the Ministry of National Defence as the National Focal Point. The Chemical Command was assigned as the Standing Office of the National Focal Point (Standing Office 81), acting on its behalf in handling day-to-day work, receiving and processing information, and advising on inter-agency coordination.

On 23 August 2026, the 16th National Assembly adopted the Law on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (effective from 1 July 2027). The Law elevates the legal framework from a decree to a law and confirms the Ministry of National Defence as the National Focal Point, taking the lead in assisting the Government in coordinating, urging and guiding implementation. During the transition period, the National Focal Point and the units currently performing these tasks (including Standing Office 81) will continue to perform their functions and duties in accordance with current legislation.

Together with Decree No. 259/2025/ND-CP on strategic trade control (effective from October 2025), Vietnam operates two complementary pillars: the Ministry of Industry and Trade is the focal point for licensing dual-use goods; the Ministry of National Defence, through Standing Office 81, coordinates countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the list of designated organisations and individuals; and the Ministry of Finance (Vietnam Customs) monitors cross-border flows of dual-use goods: exports, temporary imports for re-export, transfers, transhipment and transit. A licence from the competent authority is a mandatory condition prior to customs clearance.

Photo 2. The Vietnamese delegation at SEAFEC 2026, with delegates from the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

At the forum, a member of the Vietnamese delegation shared information on the implementation of STM: Customs is stepping up the electronic processing of procedures. Traders must proactively check the Control List and complete their licence applications before registering customs declarations. A risk management mechanism is applied; businesses are subject to administrative penalties when a declaration is routed to the yellow channel but a licence is missing or not presented.

The Vietnamese delegation called on countries and international organisations to support in-depth training in commodity identification skills for frontline customs officers, and to establish a mechanism for linking databases on high-risk organisations and individuals in order to build a preventive barrier at a distance. Vietnam is committed to working together with partners and strictly implementing international standards on STM.

Photo 3. Vietnamese delegates at SEAFEC 2026.

As Vietnam moves deeper into the semiconductor, electronics and dual-use goods supply chains, STM can only stand firm when there is consistency from the legal framework through to effective enforcement. Without national coordination, even a comprehensive control list will struggle to function as a system. Without customs, frontline control will not be effective. Without a counter-proliferation focal point, trade can easily become detached from international obligations. The inter-agency presence in Jakarta affirms that Vietnam is on the right track in strategic trade management and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Dang Huy Hiep - Centre 81