Sweden accompanies Vietnam on the path of sustainable development and innovation
WVR - From November 2-4, Sara Modig, State Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, led a delegation of Swedish businesses, visits Vietnam, focusing on promoting cooperation in sustainable infrastructure.
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The visit underscores Sweden's strong commitment to accompanying Vietnam on the path of sustainable development, innovation, and green transition in the infrastructure sector.
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| Sara Modig, State Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise. (Source: Swedish Embassy in Vietnam) |
This visit builds on the significant cooperation results from the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Sweden in June 2025, aiming to deepen bilateral cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
Joint efforts in green transition
With the theme "Building Green Ports and Modern Railways", the delegation, comprising leading Swedish businesses and experts, will engage in discussions with various Vietnamese ministries, agencies, technical partners, and private investors.
Discussions will focus on cooperation opportunities in railway development, including the North-South high-speed railway project, as well as green transition in the port system and new port development.
During the visit, Modig will also meet representatives from over 70 Swedish businesses operating in Vietnam, highlighting Sweden's increasingly significant role in supporting Vietnam's modernization and green transition.
"Vietnam is a dynamic and forward-looking partner for Sweden in the region. From smart infrastructure to digital innovation, we see numerous opportunities to jointly develop green, competitive, and inclusive solutions.
Sweden and Vietnam have great potential to shape a sustainable, resilient, and knowledge-based future together," shared Johan Ndisi, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam.
Innovation ecosystem and academic cooperation
In Hanoi, Sara Modig introduced Sweden's innovation ecosystem at the Erasmus and Horizon Europe Day event, organized by the European Union (EU) Delegation in Vietnam in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
According to the 2025 Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Sweden ranks second among 130 economies, affirming its leading global position in innovation.
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| Sara Modig speaking at the Erasmus and Horizon Europe event in Hanoi. (Source: Swedish Embassy in Vietnam) |
As part of the program, educational exhibitions were held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to attract Vietnamese students to study in Europe, with the participation of nine Swedish universities.
Sweden and Vietnam have a long-standing tradition of academic cooperation, student exchanges, and joint research. For instance, the Karolinska Institute has signed four memorandums of understanding with Vietnamese educational institutions and supported 65 Vietnamese doctoral candidates in successfully defending their theses.
In the fall of 2025, 300 Vietnamese students were admitted to Swedish universities; among them, 11 received the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP), 8 female students were awarded the Women in STEM Scholarships, along with various other scholarships in climate technology and entrepreneurship programs.
Strategic bilateral activities
During the visit, Sara Modig will also visit Hai Phong city, work with the city's People's Committee, meet Swedish businesses investing locally, and tour the VinFast electric car factory.
Many Swedish companies are key partners in VinFast's supply chain. ABB has supplied over 1,000 industrial robots, Atlas Copco has provided air compressor solutions, and SKF has supplied bearings.
These collaborations demonstrate the trust and high technical capability that Swedish businesses bring to Vietnam's rapidly growing manufacturing sector.
| Sara Modig, State Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, speaking at the Erasmus and Horizon Europe event promoting post-graduate research and education exchanges between the EU and Vietnam on the morning of November 3 in Hanoi: "This is my first visit to Vietnam, and although I haven't had much time to explore, I had the opportunity to walk around Hanoi yesterday and was truly impressed by the warm hospitality of the Vietnamese people. First, let me share that Erasmus is one of the pillars of Sweden's education internationalization strategy.
This program enhances cooperation between educational institutions, improves quality, and strengthens Sweden's role as an active and dynamic member of the EU. Erasmus also helps Sweden expand educational cooperation beyond the EU framework. Horizon Europe is the world's largest civil research and innovation program. It connects Swedish researchers and innovators not only with neighboring countries but also with global partners, including Vietnam. Through this, we can work together towards scientific excellence and jointly address global challenges. Sweden aims to be one of the world's leading countries in research and innovation. This year, Sweden continues to hold the second position in the Global Innovation Index (GII). A key factor in Sweden's innovation success is the closely-knit ecosystem of academia, business, and government. This synergy facilitates seamless transfer of research outcomes into practical applications and commercial startups. As a result, Sweden has produced many successful startups and businesses, reinforcing the country's reputation as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Cooperation in research and innovation is crucial for universities, businesses, research institutes, the public sector, and other stakeholders. The green transition is a key driver for innovations that can help build more resilient societies and promote sustainable growth within our planet's limits." |
