People-to-People Diplomacy: Building lasting Vietnam–Sweden partnerships

People-to-People Diplomacy: Chau Nguyen arrived in Sweden in the autumn of 2016.

From life-changing experiences in Sweden to building a vibrant alumni community in Vietnam, she has seen how friendships, shared values, and personal connections can create lasting impact.

In this interview, Chau Nguyen reflects on the power of people-to-people diplomacy and how individuals continue to shape the next chapter of Sweden–Vietnam relations.

Could you share a little about your personal journey with Sweden and how it shaped you?

My journey with Sweden began in the autumn of 2016, when I started my master's studies at the University of Gothenburg. Since then, the love and connection with Sweden have remained unchanged.

I remember on beautiful days, my friends and I would go on road trips or take a ferry to any island, feel the winds, enjoy the autumn leaves, and the earthy smell of grass and wildflowers. Here I feel a strong value placed on humility, equality, and respect for nature.

"Lagom" is truly a way of life here, not too much, not too little, just enough. At work, people are independent and very organized, while also caring for one another in subtle and thoughtful ways.

As a child rights advocate, I really appreciate what I learned from Sweden about family welfare and social services for children. Sweden was the first country to ban corporal punishment, reflecting the belief that children deserve respect and guidance through dialogue, not fear.

Chau Nguyen, President of the Swedish Alumni Network Vietnam.

Parents are strongly supported through generous parental leave, and children's voices truly matter in everyday family life. It is quite common to see families hiking together with young children — a simple but meaningful reflection of the importance of togetherness, resilience, and connection with nature.

I had lots of inspiration within a year in Sweden, not only in academic knowledge, but also in learning to make life a work of art: Looking at the bright side, setting a high standard, doing your best and living life to the fullest.

What does the Swedish Alumni Network mean to you, and how has it evolved in recent years?

I joined SANV in 2019. My first activity was a Plogging event, followed by watching the World Cup with the team. It was so much fun.

At that time, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha was the Chairman — an amazing leader and founder of SANV. And he has gathered a team with members coming from fascinating backgrounds such as sustainability, innovation, maritime security, law, architecture, finance, and many others.

Our members are not only experts in their own fields, but each of them also possesses special talents and beautiful caring hearts. We always respect teammates and have excellent teamwork.

That is why our activities are much more than ordinary technical events. They go above and beyond, not only disseminating knowledge, but also sharing inspiration and practical innovation across different fields.

SANV has received amazing support from everyone at the Embassy, who have always been welcoming and encouraging. We have also built meaningful collaborations with organizations such as Hope Box, Keep it Beautiful Vietnam (KIBV), Green & Sustainable Community, Nordcham, EAN, as well as many artists and individuals.

Over time, SANV has continued to grow as a friendly platform connecting professionals with a Swedish background and supporting the Embassy's mission in Vietnam.

A key highlight in 2026 will be a storytelling series featuring Swedish alumni in Vietnam.

As we celebrate and highlight Sweden–Vietnam relations this May, what opportunities do you see for deeper people-to-people connections and any other fields?

People-to-people connections have always been at the heart of the Sweden–Vietnam relationship. Over the years, I have heard many stories about how much Swedes appreciate Vietnam's rich culture, people, landscapes, and cuisine and vice versa. Thus, the Swedish and Vietnamese people themselves are the best ambassadors for the strong ties between our two countries.

There is strong potential to support innovation and entrepreneurship through mentorship and seed-funding initiatives for young start-ups creating sustainable impact.

Documentaries and cultural projects can also help bring the Sweden–Vietnam story to wider audiences, highlighting the shared values and human connections that continue to shape our partnership today.

We also hope to expand two-way exchange programmes, creative collaborations, and initiatives that allow young people and professionals from both countries to learn from each other more directly.

SANV has continued to grow as a friendly platform connecting professionals with a Swedish background and supporting the Embassy's mission in Vietnam.

What exciting activities or initiatives can we look forward to from the network in 2026?

A key highlight in 2026 will be a storytelling series featuring Swedish alumni in Vietnam. Many have returned to take on leadership roles or build businesses, bringing with them Swedish values such as sustainability, innovation, equality, and work-life balance. These stories reflect the lasting impact of education and experience in Sweden.

We will also mark 50 years of cooperation in the health sector by highlighting alumni working in Vietnam's healthcare system.

Many of them studied in Sweden and are now serving in Vietnam's health system with dedication, advancing both patient care and health system development.

This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate their contributions and further strengthen collaboration in healthcare between our two countries.

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