Vietnam, Finland promote cooperation in AI, digital transformation, and green energy: Permanent Deputy FM
WVR - On May 29, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu received Finland's Secretary of State for International Trade Jarno Syrjala during his visit to Vietnam.
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| Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu receives Finland's Secretary of State for International Trade Jarno Syrjala. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Welcoming Secretary of State Jarno Syrjala's visit amid the ongoing positive development of Vietnam-Finland relations, especially after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership during General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Finland in October 2025, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that Finland is one of Vietnam's leading important partners in Northern Europe. He emphasized that the strategic partnership framework opens up many new cooperation opportunities, particularly in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green growth.
The Deputy Minister suggested that both sides continue to promote economic, trade, and investment cooperation, effectively leveraging the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); facilitate Vietnamese goods' deeper access to the Finnish and Northern European markets; and encourage Finnish enterprises to expand investment in Vietnam in high-tech, green energy, digital infrastructure, logistics, and circular economy sectors. He also affirmed that Vietnam is continuously improving the investment environment and simplifying administrative procedures to facilitate foreign businesses in doing business and investing in Vietnam.
Appreciating Finland's strengths in innovation and technology, the Deputy Minister proposed that both sides make science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence strategic cooperation pillars in the coming phase. He expressed a desire for Finland to share experiences in the state-university-business linkage model, support the development of a creative startup ecosystem, and enhance financial resources for research and development (R&D).
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| At the meeting, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that the Vietnam-Finland strategic partnership framework opens up many new cooperation opportunities in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
The Deputy Minister also proposed that both sides strengthen cooperation in clean energy, optimize the power system, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and data infrastructure development. He expressed a desire for Finland to share its experience in building institutions, standards, and governance for emerging technologies.
Regarding labor cooperation, the Deputy Minister suggested that both sides effectively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on labor migration signed in January 2025, facilitating Vietnamese experts and workers to work in Finland.
On this occasion, the Deputy Minister expressed a desire for Finland to share experiences and support Vietnam in accessing standards and objectives for joining the OECD.
For his part, Secretary of State Jarno Syrjala expressed his pleasure in visiting Vietnam and appreciated Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements as well as its increasingly prominent role and position in the region and on the international stage. The Secretary of State affirmed that Finland values its relationship with Vietnam and is proud to be the first Nordic country to upgrade its relationship with Vietnam to a strategic partnership, considering this a testament to the increasing trust and deepening ties between the two countries.
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| Secretary of State Jarno Syrjala affirmed Finland's desire to become a reliable partner of Vietnam in digital transformation, innovation, and clean energy technology. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Sharing Finland's development experience, the Secretary of State expressed readiness to cooperate and provide technical solutions in hydrogen, power grid optimization, and clean energy technology. He also emphasized Finland's desire to become a reliable partner of Vietnam in telecommunications, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence; sharing investment experiences for R&D, developing an innovation ecosystem, and supporting mechanisms for businesses and universities through appropriate financial tools and policies.
Appreciating the potential for innovation cooperation between the two countries, the Secretary of State introduced the Slush startup event – one of the world's largest startup forums – and encouraged Vietnamese startups to strengthen connections with Finland's innovation ecosystem and international investment network.
Both sides agreed to continue closely coordinating to effectively implement the outcomes of General Secretary To Lam's visit to Finland; develop an action plan to realize the strategic partnership framework; enhance delegation exchanges, contact at all levels, and expand cooperation in trade, technology, and innovation; prioritize building exemplary cooperative projects in energy, digital transformation, AI, telecommunications, and cybersecurity to create a ripple effect for the business communities of both countries.
Both sides also affirmed the importance of maintaining an open trade system, respecting international law, ensuring freedom, security, and safety of maritime and aviation, contributing to promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
