The visit took place at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb. This is the first visit by a General Secretary of our Party to Finland since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973.
Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said that following the vibrant high-level foreign affairs activities since the beginning of the year, General Secretary To Lam's visit to Finland is a clear demonstration of Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, proactiveness, and comprehensive and extensive international integration.
"The visit carries a message of sincere affection and respect from the Party, State and people of Vietnam towards Finland, a country that has actively helped Vietnam in the past struggle to defend the Fatherland and in the current cause of national construction and development," the Deputy Minister shared.
Finland is one of the first Nordic countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
For decades, Finland has been an important development aid partner of Vietnam, focusing on the fields of: Water supply and drainage, poverty reduction, climate change, forestry... contributing significantly to the economic and social development process in Vietnam.
Until now, “clean Finnish water” is still mentioned by Vietnamese people as a symbol of friendship and effective and lasting assistance from Finnish friends. Many projects in remote areas have contributed to improving and enhancing the lives of Vietnamese people.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said the visit is also an important opportunity for the two countries to review past achievements in cooperation as well as set out major orientations, renew relations, create momentum, and bring traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation to new heights.
Besides enhancing political trust between Vietnam and Finland, the General Secretary's visit will create opportunities for deeper and more comprehensive cooperation in many fields.
These include potential areas such as digital economy, green economy, circular economy, science and technology, maritime, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, etc. These are areas that Vietnam prioritizes and Finland has strengths and experience.
The visit is also an important opportunity for Vietnam to promote cooperation with the Nordic region, while promoting Vietnam's role in connecting Finland with ASEAN, the EU with ASEAN, contributing to strengthening regional connectivity in the context of a rapidly changing world with many challenges.
Once a friendly country that supported and helped each other in difficult times, today, Finland continues to be an important partner of Vietnam in the Northern Europe region.
Over time, Vietnam - Finland relations have shifted from development cooperation to mutually beneficial cooperation. Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Finland has grown continuously in recent years, reaching 422.5 million USD in 2024 and more than 279 million USD in the first 9 months of 2025.
Education and training cooperation has been expanded. Currently, nearly 20 Vietnamese universities are cooperating effectively with Finnish partners and more than 2,500 Vietnamese students are studying in Finland in the fields of economics, information technology, tourism, etc.
Cooperation in science - technology, culture - sports, tourism, labor... has developed positively. Cooperation in new fields such as circular economy, high-tech agriculture, green transformation, renewable energy... promises to bring new cooperation frameworks suitable to the potential and needs of each side.
In that spirit, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed that the visit will contribute to consolidating and strengthening the relationship between Vietnam and Finland, promoting existing cooperation mechanisms, orienting new cooperation mechanisms, and deepening specialized cooperation, especially in strategic fields.
"General Secretary To Lam's visit will open a new phase, creating a strong and breakthrough change in cooperation with Finland; bringing about many positive results for the benefit of the people of the two countries, actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development in each region and in the world," the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/lan-dau-tien-tong-bi-thu-tham-phan-lan-2454334.html
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