Sweden strengthens innovation and green infrastructure ties with Vietnam

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and Sweden have made a step towards cooperation in green infrastructure, innovation and education as State Secretary for Climate and Enterprise Sara Modig paid a three-day visit to Hanoi and the northern port city of Haiphong this week.

Her visit, part of a Team Sweden mission of government officials, major companies and academic institutions, aimed to turn the Sectoral Strategic Partnership in Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation into practice.

The partnership was signed during the official visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Stockholm in June 2025.

“Vietnam can achieve double-digit growth while fulfilling its commitment to green and sustainable development by drawing on Sweden’s experience,” Modig said in an interview with The Hanoi Times.

Green growth through partnership

During the trip, the agenda focused on green ports, modern railways and stronger research ties.

At the Ministry of Construction, Modig and Vietnamese officials discussed how Sweden’s experience in sustainable urban planning could support Vietnam’s development of high-speed rail and seaports.

“Vietnam’s infrastructure plans are key to its growth. High-quality, climate-smart systems will attract investment and create new jobs,” Modig highlighted.

She said that Swedish companies bring extensive experience in people-centered infrastructure, smart cities and digital transport systems. Their interest aligns with Vietnam’s major projects, including the North–South high-speed railway and the green transformation of seaports.

Swedish technology is already part of Vietnam’s industrial landscape, with ABB having supplied over 1,000 industrial robots to VinFast. Meanwhile, Atlas Copco, SKF and Ericsson provide advanced components and systems that power local production and automation.

In Haiphong, Modig met the city’s leaders and Swedish investors involved in renewable energy and battery manufacturing. These projects illustrate how Swedish expertise contributes to Vietnam’s cleaner and more efficient industries.

“Swedish companies see Vietnam not only as a growing market but as a long-term partner in innovation and sustainability,” she said in her trip to Haiphong.

She praised Haiphong’s openness to green technologies and said the city’s rapid industrial growth mirrors Sweden’s early efforts to link economic expansion with environmental responsibility.

A visit to VinFast’s electric vehicle factory in Haiphong highlighted the shared vision of sustainable mobility. Several Swedish suppliers are part of VinFast’s global value chain, reflecting years of cooperation and technological compatibility.

The innovation model behind Sweden’s success

Modig emphasized Sweden’s “triple-helix” model, which links government, business and academia to foster sustainable innovation.

She shared that Sweden has doubled its GDP since 1990 while cutting emissions by half thanks to predictable policies such as carbon pricing, green procurement and long-term climate targets.

Under the model, the government funds R&D and ensures transparent, fair competition. Academia provides knowledge, research and talent, connecting universities with enterprises and supporting startups. Businesses turn ideas into market-ready solutions and scale them globally.

Sweden’s clean technology programs, digital innovation and medical research are built on this foundation. The approach has helped Sweden rank second in the Global Innovation Index and become a cradle for successful startups.

Another key part of the visit included education and research. In Hanoi, Modig presented Sweden’s innovation ecosystem at the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe Day, bringing together Vietnamese and European universities.

“People-to-people connection drives innovation. Every student who studies abroad builds a bridge between societies,” Modig stated.

More than 300 Vietnamese students were admitted to Swedish universities this year, with dozens receiving Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals and being awarded Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarships.

Nine Swedish universities also joined study fairs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to attract more Vietnamese students. Among them, Karolinska Institutet, one of Sweden’s leading universities, has signed four cooperation agreements with Vietnamese partners and supported 65 doctoral graduates.

With over 55 years of academic collaboration, Sweden has helped Vietnam develop high-quality human resources and accelerate its green transition.

Shared vision for sustainable development

Modig said Sweden’s experience in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy offers valuable lessons for Vietnam. “We can share know-how in building safe, efficient and people-centered systems, from high-speed rail and urban transport to smart cities,” she said.

Sweden’s companies such as ABB, Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Volvo and SKF have supported Vietnam’s industrial modernization and port development. They view  Vietnam as a trusted partner in innovation and long-term value creation.

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction, Sweden’s success in green industry and environmentally friendly transport aligns with Vietnam’s strategic goal of modern, synchronized infrastructure as a driver of growth.

During her stay, Modig met with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Construction and held talks with Haiphong leaders on green port development and digital logistics. The city currently hosts three Swedish FDI projects worth more than US$48 million, including a battery manufacturing plant.

With the partnership inked in June, Modig’s visit marked a clear shift in Vietnam–Sweden cooperation, from idea exchange to concrete projects, from aid and consultation to joint investment and from shared experience to technology transfer.

However, what impressed the Swedish state secretary is Vietnam’s young and dynamic population, which she described as “a tremendous resource” for innovation and international collaboration.

“It has been very busy but great. I met many Swedish and Vietnamese companies, spoke with ministers and saw firsthand the strong energy on both sides.”

As such, Sweden is not only bringing green technology to Vietnam, it is also investing in talent, trust and shared responsibility for a sustainable future, as Modig affirmed before returning to Sweden.