FTA Index 2025 · Provincial Brief
Can Tho
Provincial performance in implementing free trade agreements
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Classification
Fair
Fair
Ranked 11th out of 34 assessed provinces/cities.
Overall score
Higher than the national average (+2.64 points).
Key highlight
Comprehensive
All four pillars rank 10th–17th, making it one of the most evenly performing provinces/cities nationwide.
Four component indexes at a glance
A
Information access
Rank 12 / 34
5.04
/ 10
+0.25 vs avg
B
Implementation of FTA-related regulations
Rank 10 / 34
6.07
/ 10
+0.87 vs avg
C
Policies supporting FTA utilisation
Rank 17 / 34
5.81
/ 10
-0.01 vs avg
D
Sustainable development commitments
Rank 10 / 34
7.20
/ 10
+1.23 vs avg
★ Strengths
#4
Ease of complying with FTA regulations (B4)
#6
Enterprises' knowledge of FTAs & readiness for sustainable development commitments (A1, D3)
#8
Information on web portals & enterprises' ability to access support (A9, C6)
#10
Quality of guidance on implementing legal documents (B3)
Limitations
#30
Barriers to enterprises' FTA utilisation (C5)
#28
Forms of accessing FTA information (A3)
#25
Forms of FTA utilisation (C3)
#21
Information sources on media events (A6)
Source: FTA Index 2025; scale 1–5; ranks out of 34 provinces
01
Overview of the result
Can Tho City scored 24.30 out of 40 points, ranking 11th out of 34, placing in the "Fair" group nationwide. The standout feature of Can Tho is the evenness in its implementation capacity: all four pillars rank from 10th to 17th nationally, with each pillar equaling or exceeding the national average. Enterprises self-assess their compliance capacity at a good level (ranked 4th), reflecting firms' solid knowledge of FTAs, alongside enterprises' high readiness to comply with sustainable development commitments (ranked 6th).
Can Tho
National average
A
Information access
+0.25
B
Implementation of FTA-related regulations
+0.87
C
Policies supporting FTA utilisation
-0.01
D
Sustainable development commitments
+1.23
02
Detailed analysis by component index
A
Component Index 1
Information access
5.04 / 10
Rank 12 / 34 · +0.25
This is a clear strength of the locality: Enterprises' knowledge of FTAs (A1) ranked 6th, FTA information provided on web portals (A9) ranked 8th, and FTA events (A5) ranked 9th. However, some limitations remain in: forms of accessing information (A3, ranked 28th), event information sources (A6, ranked 21st), and the quality of market forecast and import-export guidance information (A8, ranked 20th).
+0.25 vs avg
National rank by indicator
#6 Knowledge of FTAs
#8 Web portals
#9 Events
#28 Access forms
#20 Forecasting
B
Component Index 2
Implementation of FTA-related regulations
6.07 / 10
Rank 10 / 34 · +0.87
This is the highest-ranked pillar and achieves considerable consistency across component indicators. Enterprises evaluate compliance complexity (B4) at rank 4, meaning applying FTA-related regulations is relatively easy. The quality of guidance on legal documents (B3), the level of enterprise participation in training sessions (B5), and the extent to which regulatory bodies absorb feedback and suggestions from enterprises (B7) all rank 10th. Additionally, the frequency of guiding enterprises on issued documents (B2) ranks 12th. This pillar reflects a solid foundation that Can Tho can focus on to enhance utilisation.
+0.87 vs avg
National rank by indicator
#4 Compliance
#10 Quality
#10 Training
#10 Feedback
#12 Guidance freq.
C
Component Index 3
Policies supporting FTA utilisation
5.81 / 10
Rank 17 / 34 · -0.01
Can Tho's support policies/programmes recorded many positive assessments: The level of enterprise access to and benefit from support policies (C6) ranks 8th, the degree of FTA utilisation (C1) ranks 10th, and trade promotion programmes rank 11th. However, utilisation barriers for enterprises (C5) rank 30th and forms of utilisation (C3) remain limited (ranked 25th). Enterprises can access support from regulatory bodies and are utilising the agreements, but within a narrow scope and facing significant barriers during FTA exploitation.
-0.01 vs avg
National rank by indicator
#8 Support access
#10 Utilisation
#11 Trade promo
#25 Utilisation forms
#30 Barriers
D
Component Index 4
Sustainable development commitments
7.20 / 10
Rank 10 / 34 · +1.23
This pillar demonstrates a relatively high level of consistency across multiple aspects. Specifically, enterprises' readiness to comply (D3) ranks 6th, and the extent to which enterprises value the importance of complying with sustainable development commitments (D5) ranks 7th. Meanwhile, state support (D4) and enterprises' knowledge of sustainable development commitments (D1) both rank 12th.
+1.23 vs avg
National rank by indicator
#6 Readiness
#8 Importance
#11 State support
#12 Knowledge
#18 Impact
03
Conclusions & implications
Strengths to build on
Even implementation capacity: all pillars of the city are above the national average and there are no weak areas.
Enterprises' compliance capacity: businesses understand clearly and are able to apply regulations related to FTA commitments.
High readiness for sustainable development commitments: serves as a solid foundation to foster a healthy, sustainable trade environment and build prestige with international partners.
Limitations to address
Barriers to enterprises' FTA utilisation: businesses face numerous barriers even though regulatory compliance is assessed by firms as relatively easy.
Information dissemination channels and utilisation forms: lack diversity and remain focused on traditional channels and activities.
Quality of market forecast information: the locality should focus on boosting sector-specific forecasting and providing continuous updates to enterprises.
Next steps
Address the bottlenecks to move into the highest group
1
Reduce utilisation barriers
Support enterprises in overcoming FTA utilisation barriers and strengthening partner matchmaking.
C5 30 → top 15
2
Diversify access channels
Improve notification mechanisms, event information sources, and forms of accessing information.
A3 28 → top 15
Provide sector-specific information for enterprises regarding fluctuations in the world market.
A8 20 → top 10
4
Expand utilisation scope
Support enterprises to utilise FTAs in areas such as technical standards, SPS, and trade facilitation.
C3 25 → top 15
