UKVFTA to take effect from end of 2020 On December 29, a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the United Kingdom was officially signed by representatives of the two countries. The FTA will take effect from 23:00 of December 31, 2020. The UKVFTA signed by the authorized representatives (Ambassadors) of the Governments of the two countries in London. (Photo credit to Ministry of Industry and Trade) According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s office, the two countries’ ambassadors were authorised to sign the deal as leading officials of the Vietnamese Government and Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh were unable to travel to the UK to sign directly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.