Vietnam, Finland elevate relations in 1st top leader’s visit
The visit opens new prospects in technology, clean energy, circular economy and medical cooperation, with Finland linking Vietnam to Europe and Vietnam connecting Finland to ASEAN.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and Finland have agreed to upgrade their relations to a strategic partnership during the official visit of Party General Secretary To Lam from October 20 to 22 at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese Party chief to the Nordic country.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and Finland's President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki on October 21. Photos: VNA
In the joint statement released on October 21, the new partnership reflects the two nations’ shared vision of deepening political trust, advancing innovation-driven cooperation and promoting multilateralism for global peace and sustainable development.
Expanding cooperation across key sectors
The two sides pledged to strengthen political dialogue and increase high-level exchanges between the Communist Party, the State, the Government and the National Assembly of Vietnam and their Finnish counterparts.
An annual strategic consultation mechanism will be set up to coordinate on regional and international issues, including traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
Economic, trade and investment cooperation will remain the cornerstone of the partnership, with Finland helping Vietnamese goods access EU markets while Vietnam will become a strategic hub for Finnish enterprises in Asia. Both sides are committed to maintaining a transparent, fair trade environment that facilitates business and investment links.
In science, technology and innovation, the two countries will enhance cooperation in e-government, digital public services, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, the circular economy and green technologies.
The reception given to General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly in Helsinki.
They will also promote startup ecosystems and innovation programs that support smart infrastructure and sustainable growth.
The partnership will expand to education, training and labor mobility through academic exchanges, scholarships and joint programs in leadership and digital skills.
Development cooperation will focus on environmental protection, innovation and climate change response using Finland’s preferential credit programs.
Both sides also agreed to strengthen collaboration in agriculture, energy, infrastructure and transport, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, green seaports, smart cities and logistics.
Meanwhile, people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation will continue to foster mutual understanding and cultural connectivity.
New agreements
The two leaders and their spouses at the reception.
On the same day, General Secretary To Lam and Finnish President Alexander Stubb witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding at the Presidential Palace.
The agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Finland’s Ministry of the Environment focuses on cooperation in environmental protection, biodiversity and climate change.
Meanwhile, the cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance and the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs aims to facilitate projects under Finland’s Public Investment Facility program.
The final memmorandum, inked between Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance and the Finnish Export Credit Agency (Finnvera), will boost collaboration in finance, investment and export credit.
These documents will open new opportunities for green growth, sustainable development and energy transition, advancing both nations’ shared goals for an innovative and sustainable future.
A memorandum of understanding on supporting and promoting projects under Finland’s Public Investment Facility (PIF) program.
Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Pekka Voutilainen said the visit marks a turning point in bilateral ties, transitioning from traditional development cooperation to a modern, trade- and innovation-driven partnership.
He highlighted Finland’s investment of nearly EUR100 million (US$116 million) in Vietnam. So far, Vietnam is the Nordic country’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia for 2024 and 2025. He said promising sectors for collaboration include information technology, cybersecurity, clean energy, circular economy and medical technology.
The ambassador stressed that Finland could serve as a gateway for Vietnamese businesses to access Nordic and EU markets, while Vietnam provides an entry point for Finnish enterprises expanding into ASEAN.
The visit, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, marks a new milestone in the enduring friendship and forward-looking cooperation between Vietnam and Finland.
