Party General Secretary To Lam's official visits to Finland from October 20 to 22, and to Bulgaria from October 22 to 24 were a great success, producing significant outcomes and opening a new chapter in Vietnam’s relation with the two countries, according to Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung.
A Vietnamese delegation led by Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member, Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Inspection Commission, and Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, visited SITRA, the Finnish Innovation Fund, and space technology firm ICEYE to exchange experiences and explore cooperation opportunities.
Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening and deepening ties with Finland, noting parliamentary cooperation as an effective mechanism for advancing and overseeing intergovernmental agreements, while fostering mutual understanding and trust.
Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam, visited a Vietnamese language class at Vesala Comprehensive School in Helsinki on October 21.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam called on Aalto University to strengthen collaboration with Vietnamese universities and research institutes in higher and postgraduate education, scientific research, and technology transfer. He stressed that Aalto’s strengths align with Vietnam’s development goals.
Sharing information about the situation in Vietnam, General Secretary Lam affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always remember and cherish the support from international progressive forces, including those from Finland, which helped the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national independence and reunification, and their ongoing socialism building process.
Both officials agreed that their ministries should continue working closely to further intensify the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam, presented the Helsinki Central Library Oodi with a Vietnamese bookcase which includes more than 120 selected books and nearly 160 Vietnamese and bilingual books.
The Party leader hailed the solidarity and contributions to the homeland by the Vietnamese communities in Finland and other Nordic nations while speaking highly of the performance by the embassies there.
The concert, celebrating not only the Party leader’s official visit but also the new progress in bilateral ties, featured performances by People’s Artist Bui Cong Duy and the Helsinki Metropolitan Orchestra.
Finland regards Vietnam not only as a dynamic and rapidly developing market but also as a partner in fostering smart, green, and sustainable growth, said Finnish Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen.
General Secretary Lam emphasised that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always appreciate and deeply remember the help and support of the Finnish people in the early period of the renewal process, especially Finland's non-refundable aid to Vietnam in the fields of water supply and drainage, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, climate change adaptation, and forestry.
General Secretary Lam affirmed that Vietnam always treasures its traditional friendship with Finland and appreciates Finland’s support for Vietnam in its post-war national reconstruction and development. He expressed his hope that Finland will continue to be a reliable partner and companion in Vietnam’s new era of development.
During the official visit of General Secretary To Lam to Finland from October 20-22, 2025, at the invitation of President Alexander Stubb, the Leaders decided to elevate Vietnam - Finland relations, established in 1973, to a Strategic Partnership.
During some of Vietnam’s most challenging times, Finland was a pioneer in providing development aid, supporting critical projects on clean water and water supply systems in Hanoi and Hai Phong.
Vietnam highly values its longstanding partnership with Finland, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed, believing that this visit will open up a new chapter of bilateral relations, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the regions and the world.
The visit demonstrates a new stride in the two countries' connections, creating momentum for shaping strategic cooperation in future areas.
The Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam identified information technology, cybersecurity, clean energy, the circular economy, water management, and medical technology as areas through which many Finnish companies can contribute to Vietnam's economic growth and welfare.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, left Hanoi on October 20 for a three-day official visit to Finland.
The trip carries a message of sincere affection and the deep regard of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for Finland - a country that actively supported Vietnam in its past struggle for national defence and continues to assist in the current national construction and development process, Hang said, adding that Finland was one of the first Nordic countries to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
The official visit to Finland by Party General Secretary Lam and his spouse marks an important milestone in the Vietnam–Finland relationship. It reflects Vietnam’s high regard for the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Finland.
Key highlights of the visit include talks and meetings with Finland’s leaders to chart future priorities, and the signing of important agreements in new pillar sectors to drive practical, effective, and sustainable collaboration.
With the newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU), Vietnamese experts, and skilled workers and seasonal labourers will have the opportunity to work in Finland under a transparent and fair recruitment process.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Arto Olavi Satonen, Minister for Employment from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, in Hanoi on January 13, believing that his visit would further bolster the traditional friendship and all-around cooperation between the two countries, especially in labour and employment.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung and visiting Minister for Employment from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment Arto Olavi Satonen signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labour migration cooperation as part of their talks in Hanoi on January 13.