Hanoi: Vietnam's parliament unanimously approved a free-trade agreement with the European Union that will scrap almost all tariffs on goods traded between the bloc and the south-east Asian country.

The National Assembly's vote followed approval by the European Parliament in February. The agreement is expected to go into effect as early as July after all governments approve it, according to the website of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Vietnam will slash 99 per cent of its import duties over 10 years and the EU will do the same over seven years under the pact. The agreement curbs non-tariff barriers and opens up public procurement.

Trade between the EU and Vietnam reached $US56.45 billion ($80.95 billion) last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. Vietnam's 2019 exports to Europe were $US41.5 billion, accounting for 16 per cent of the nation's shipments that year.