Themed “green transition, digital transformation, and innovation,” the forum was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, along with ministers, officials from various agencies and localities, and numerous business representatives from both countries.

Building on strong political ties, economic relations between Vietnam and Sweden have continued to see growth, with last year’s bilateral trade standing at US$1.48 billion.

Sweden currently ranks 29th out of 149 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 111 valid projects and total registered capital of US$743.39 million.

Roughly 70 Swedish companies are operating in Vietnam, including major names such as Ericsson, ABB, IKEA, Electrolux, Volvo, and H&M. Conversely, Vietnamese investment in the Scandinavian nation remains modest, with just three projects totaling nearly US$1 million.

Recognizing the two countries’ untapped potential for cooperation in science and technology, innovation, telecommunications, green and circular economy, education and training, infrastructure, renewable energy, and defence industries, the forum served as a venue for both sides to showcase their strengths, share experience, and explore investment opportunities. Discussions centered on accelerating green transition, boosting innovation, and digitizing industries.

Minister Benjamin Dousa highlighted the growing and fruitful Vietnam–Sweden relationship. In a rapidly changing world, he noted, the two countries have new opportunities to strengthen cooperation across a multitude of fields. He expressed appreciation for the forum’s theme and praised Vietnam’s recent development and national strategies, saying they correspond with Sweden’s own focus on science, technology, innovation, and digital and green transitions.

He stressed that while governments are responsible for creating enabling policies, businesses are the main driving force behind bilateral cooperation in green and digital transformation and innovation. Sweden, he said, possesses a highly skilled workforce and leading enterprises across sectors, equipped with advanced and clean technologies, strong services, and global networks, thereby offering strong potential for cooperation with Vietnam.

In his speech, PM Pham Minh Chinh conveyed warm regards and best wishes from Party General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the forum participants. He recalled that many Vietnamese people know of Sweden through images, such as late Prime Minister Olof Palme leading anti-war marches; Swedish citizens taking to the streets to celebrate Vietnam’s reunification; and key development projects like the Swedish Children’s Hospital, the Vietnam–Sweden Uong Bi Hospital, and the Bai Bang paper mill. He also praised Sweden’s deeply humanistic, peace-loving values.

Chinh said that due to both objective and subjective factors, the shift in Vietnam–Sweden ties from aid-based to development cooperation has not yet fully built upon past foundations. He emphasized the need to preserve these foundations, learn from experience, overcome limitations, and reinforce the relationship with greater determination and momentum into a new phase of development.

He affirmed that both governments will play a facilitating role by introducing major strategies and programs while creating favorable conditions for business-to-business ties. He called on companies to take the initiative to connect not only with each other but also with wider regional economies, while linking Vietnam and Sweden to ASEAN, Northeast Asia, and Northern Europe.

The Vietnamese Government, he said, is focusing on improving institutions, upgrading infrastructure, and training human resources to ensure “enabling institutions, seamless infrastructure, and smart workforce and governance.”

Vietnam is also undertaking comprehensive efforts to reshape its development model, including streamlining political and local administrative systems; advancing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; deepening international integration; improving the legal system; fostering private sector development; and building an independent and self-reliant economy that is proactive and substantively integrated into the global economy.

Reaffirming that the Vietnamese Party and State have no greater goal than building an independent, free nation and ensuring a prosperous, happy life for the people, PM Chinh pledged continued protection of the legitimate rights and interests of businesses, along with political and social stability and consistent, reliable policies to help investors grow sustainably with confidence.

He expressed his belief that, given the shared values and longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Sweden, a new wave of Swedish investment in Vietnam is on the horizon.

Seven cooperation documents were signed at the forum in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister Benjamin Dousa. Among them was an investment license issued by the Binh Dinh provincial People’s Committee to Sweden’s Syre company for a high-tech polyester fabric recycling plant worth nearly US$1 billion.

Vietnam Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines concluded a codeshare agreement to improve air connectivity between Vietnam and Scandinavia, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, offering passengers seamless and convenient travel options. Meanwhile, FPT Group signed a cooperation agreement with WARA Media & Language, an AI research ecosystem under Sweden’s largest private research institution, to jointly develop next-generation artificial intelligence technologies that promote responsible and breakthrough innovation in one of Europe’s most dynamic AI hubs.

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