The general objective of the Project is to enhance Vietnam's capacity to implement its obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) SPS Agreement and free trade agreements in international trade in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food; enhance management, assessment and testing capacity to support businesses in complying with SPS regulations in import and export markets; maximize investment opportunities of WTO members and expand export markets for Vietnam's agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food.

The project also sets a target that by 2025, the rate of technical regulations on food safety quality of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in harmony with international standards will reach 70%; 100% of food safety management officers and animal and plant quarantine officers at all levels will be trained and updated annually on professional expertise; 80% of key commodities and markets will have a handbook developed to guide compliance with SPS measures; 100% of localities will complete the contact point for questions and answers on market SPS regulations; complete the National SPS Information Portal, connect and share information on market SPS measures between cooperatives, enterprises, associations, unions, local management agencies and Vietnam's SPS system.

By 2030, the rate of national standards and national technical regulations on food safety quality of agriculture, forestry and fishery products equivalent to international standards will reach 100%; promote the database connecting interactive information between cooperatives, enterprises, associations, unions, local management agencies and Vietnam's SPS system; 100% of food safety management officers and animal and plant quarantine officers at all levels will be trained and updated annually on professional knowledge.

To achieve the above objectives, the Project sets out a number of tasks and solutions such as: Raising awareness for relevant subjects about SPS, raising awareness of food safety and animal and plant disease safety for subjects participating in the production, processing, trading and consumption chain of products; enhancing the capacity to analyze and assess risks for food safety hazards, pests and diseases; harmonizing with international standards on SPS; perfecting Vietnam's SPS system...

Perfecting the organizational structure and functions of the Vietnam SPS Office

Improve the organizational structure and functions of the Vietnam SPS Office; enhance the capacity of the Vietnam SPS Office's technical support points in ministries and branches.

Develop SPS inquiry points and support local businesses, cooperatives, unions and associations.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to develop a project to perfect the organizational structure and functions of the Vietnam SPS Office and submit it to competent authorities for approval; develop a mechanism to announce geographical zoning when determining disease risks and propose emergency response measures to human disease situations and diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

Develop a mechanism to announce geographical zoning when determining food safety and disease risks and provide emergency response measures to food safety situations, pest and disease outbreaks in animals and plants for imported and exported agricultural and food products.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and relevant ministries and branches to review regulations on biodiversity management and conservation, protection of rare species; ensure sustainable development goals for agricultural products; participate in risk assessment of biological objects within its scope of responsibility.

The Ministry of Health shall preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to review, develop, amend and supplement regulations related to food safety. Review, amend and promulgate food standards according to international standards, guidelines and recommendations (International Codex Alimentarius Commission) within the scope of management as prescribed by law.

The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement is an agreement agreed upon by the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It consists of 14 articles and 3 annexes, and aims to provide consumers with safe food products, according to appropriate standards. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures are a type of legal measure used in the World Trade Organization (WTO) to control risks to humans, animals and plants from diseases, pests or other harmful effects from food and agricultural products.

The Vietnam SPS Office is the focal point for implementing transparency obligations as required by the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), acting as an official information channel between Vietnam and WTO members on SPS issues.