Viet Nam, Finland to usher in a new era of substantive, effective, and sustainable cooperation

General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, accompanied by a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will pay an official visit to Finland from October 20–22 at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Historic milestone in Viet Nam–Finland relations

Ambassador Pham said this is the first visit to Finland by Viet Nam's highest-ranking leader, underscoring Viet Nam's consistent policy of valuing relations with Finland — a partner of great potential and a leading European Union (EU) country in innovation, education, green transition, and the knowledge-based economy.

"The visit is a politically and diplomatically significant event, marking a new milestone in the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Finland," the Ambassador said.

Coming on the heels of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973–2023), the visit opens a new phase of cooperation, reaffirming political trust and strengthening collaboration in traditional areas such as education, science and technology, environment, and agriculture, while expanding into new fields like digital transformation, renewable energy, and the circular economy — all in alignment with the two nations' sustainable development visions.

Beyond its political and economic significance, the visit also carries profound humanitarian meaning. General Secretary To Lam is expected to meet with the Vietnamese community in Finland and the Nordic region, listening to their aspirations and encouraging their contributions to the homeland. His planned meeting with Vietnamese students in Finland further demonstrates the Party and State's attention to the younger generation — those who will carry forward the spirit of innovation and national development.

Creating fresh momentum for Viet Nam–Finland relations

During the visit, General Secretary To Lam is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with Finnish leaders to discuss future directions for bilateral cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of shared concern. The two sides are expected to witness the signing of several important cooperation documents, paving the way for joint initiatives in sustainable development, green agriculture, and the circular economy.

The General Secretary will also visit leading Finnish economic and educational institutions and meet with Vietnamese students studying there — activities that highlight Viet Nam's strategic vision of promoting innovation and developing high-quality human resources.

A special cultural event, co-organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Finland, will feature a concert by the Helsinki Metropolitan Orchestra and Viet Nam's People's Artist Bui Cong Duy. The performance is intended as a celebration of friendship and cultural harmony between the two peoples.

Ambassador Pham was convinced that the visit will create fresh momentum for Viet Nam–Finland relations, expanding cooperation from traditional areas into new, globally relevant fields such as green growth, digital transformation, and food security.

"This is also an opportunity for Viet Nam to affirm its image as a dynamic, innovative nation — a reliable and responsible partner deeply integrated into the international community," she added.

Viet Nam and Finland established diplomatic relations on January 25, 1973, and the year 2023 was a meaningful milestone for both countries as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Over the past half-century, thanks to the dedicated efforts of generations of leaders and people from both sides, the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Finland have flourished. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a top priority in bilateral relations, yielding many notable achievements. In recent years, two-way trade turnover has continuously increased, reaching US$ 375.7 million in 2023 and US$364.4 million in the first 10 months of 2024./.