Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Sweden: A celebration of historic bonds and a springboard for future cooperation
WVR - On the eve of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Sweden, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi shared his numerous expectations with the World and Vietnam Report regarding the visit and the promising future of bilateral cooperation.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Ms. Susanna Campbell, Chairwoman of Syre Group (Sweden), in April 2025. Syre Group aims to invest in Vietnam as the world’s first global hub for circular and high-tech textile and garment production. (Source: VNA) |
Could you please share the significance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s upcoming official visit to Sweden, also your expectations for the visit?
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Sweden marks a significant milestone in the longstanding and strong relationship between our two countries. Sweden views this visit as both a celebration of our historic bonds and a springboard for future cooperation.
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| Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam Johan Ndisi. (Photo: Anh Son) |
We look forward to deepening collaboration in key areas such as sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation. These are fields where Sweden brings global expertise, and where Vietnam is advancing with determination. This also opens the door to expanding educational and cultural exchanges, and to working more closely on shared global challenges like climate change and inclusive growth.
What are your assessments of the development of bilateral ties over the last 56 years?
Over the past 56 years, Sweden-Vietnam relations have evolved from development assistance into a broader relationship built on trade, innovation, and shared goals. In 1969, Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam - during a challenging time.
This showed our belief in peace, solidarity, and open dialogue. Our early contributions to vital sectors through projects like the National Pediatric Hospital (today Vietnam National Childrens Hospital), the Vietnam-Sweden General Hospital Uong Bi, and Bai Bang Paper Mill (today Vietnam Paper Corporation), remain lasting symbols of our solidarity.
As Vietnam opened up and integrated into the global economy, our partnership evolved accordingly. Today, it is characterized by growing trade and investment, vibrant academic exchange and technological collaboration. Over 70 Swedish companies, such as ABB, AstraZeneca, Ericsson, Electrolux, H&M, IKEA, TetraPak, Hitachi Energy, and many others, are active in Vietnam across key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, healthcare and infrastructure, driving innovation and job creation.
Today, Sweden and Vietnam are not just partners - we are trusted friends. We work together on many important issues, including sustainable development and digital technology. Our cooperation reflects shared values of resilience, teamwork, and finding smart solutions for the future.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang received Ambassador of Sweden Johan Ndisi on June 3, 2025. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
What are the major areas of cooperation that Vietnam and Sweden can focus on promoting in the near future?
Sweden and Vietnam have strong potential to expand cooperation across key strategic sectors. In a world facing many challenges, Sweden and Vietnam both believe in open and rules-based trade. By continuing to work together, we can help build a stronger, greener and more stable global economy.
Recently Swedish company Syre made an important announcement of a planned investment in Binh Dinh province. This project supports Vietnam’s green development and shows how Swedish companies bring innovation and sustainability to help tackle environmental challenges and grow the economy.
Green energy is also one promising area. Sweden is well positioned to support Vietnam’s low-carbon transition through investment, technology transfer, and policy dialogue, particularly in renewable energy, grid modernization and clean technology.
Swedish development finance institutions, such as the Swedish Export Credit Corporation and the Swedish Export Credit Agency, are also exploring support for sustainable, infrastructure projects. As one of the few countries with a AAA credit rating, Sweden is well-positioned to support Vietnam’s ambitious infrastructure development. Leveraging Swedish financial institutions could significantly reduce financing costs for Vietnam
Education and skills development are also vital. Sweden is committed supporting Vietnam through academic exchanges, research collaboration, and training programs that prepare young people for a knowledge-based economy. For many decades, thousands of Vietnamese students, doctors, engineers, journalists and artists have come to Sweden to study, work, and share ideas. Many have brought back valuable knowledge that helps Vietnam grow- and deepens the many personal bonds between our countries.
Together, these areas form the basis for a forward-looking, impactful partnership that brings concrete benefits to both countries and contributes to broader regional and global progress.
Could you share your views on Vietnam's development direction in this new era, and what plans or programs does Sweden have to support Vietnam's national growth?
Vietnam has made impressive stride in its development journey, transforming into a dynamic economy. Its commitment to green growth, digitalization and importance when for global supply chains positions it as a key player in shaping the region’s future.
Thanks to the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), businesses from both countries have more opportunities to grow and work together. This agreement creates predictability and lowers barriers to trade which leads to greater economic growth for Europe and Vietnam. One example is that tariffs on vehicles from the EU will be completely eliminated by 2030 from around 70 percent when the agreement came in effect; reducing costs for Vietnamese consumers that would like to drive a Swedish car.
By aligning our cooperation with Vietnam’s national strategies, such as Science, Technology, and Innovation Development Strategy and Resolution 68 on private sector development, we aim to contribute to a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Vietnam.
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| The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden, organized the seminar “55 Years of Vietnam-Sweden Relations: Achievements and Prospects” on December 6, 2024. (Photo: Anh Son) |
What are your assessments of Vietnam’s role and status in the region and in the world in recent times?
Vietnam has become a key player in both regional and global affairs, earning respect through its proactive diplomacy and commitment to, multilateralism. It’s active role within ASEAN, engagement with the UN and participation in major trade agreements highlights its growing influence and commitment to global cooperation. In these turbulent times, diplomacy is more crucial than ever. This underscores the need for countries like Vietnam, Sweden, and others to ensure that their diplomatic frameworks and procedures are agile and equipped to navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving international landscape.
Vietnam’s contribution on climate change, and economic integration, reflects its role as a responsible advocate for inclusive, sustainable development and a rules-based international order. Sweden sees Vietnam as a trusted partner in addressing shared global challenges.
As Vietnam expands its international role, Sweden is committed to deepen our collaboration, sharing knowledge and innovation and supporting Vietnam as a bridge-builder and force for positive change. Together, we aim to advance a resilient forward-looking partnership grounded in shared values and a vision for sustainable inclusive growth.
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