FINLAND’S MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT TO VISIT HA NOI

Hanoi, 15 October 2026 – Finland’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, Mr. Ville Tavio, pays a working visit to Vietnam on 15–16 October 2026. The visit highlights Finland’s strong commitment to concretising its Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and expanding cooperation in trade, innovation, digitalisation and sustainable infrastructure.

The visit will focus on strengthening economic ties and promoting practical cooperation in areas where Finnish expertise can support Vietnam's industrial modernisation, digital transformation and green transition.

During his visit, Minister Tavio will hold meetings with key Vietnamese ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Discussions will focus on opportunities to expand cooperation in digital infrastructure, data centres, sustainable energy, green industrial development, circular economy solutions, smart cities, innovation and development cooperation, as well as green growth.

The visit follows a period of intensified high-level engagement between Finland and Vietnam, including recent meetings between President Alexander Stubb and General Secretary - President Tô Lâm. As Strategic Partners, Finland and Vietnam are working to translate their strong political relationship into concrete economic cooperation, business partnerships that foster innovation and drive sustainable growth.

“Finland and Vietnam are entering a new phase of cooperation, where innovation, digitalisation and sustainable infrastructure can serve as powerful drivers of growth. We see significant opportunities for closer collaboration between Finnish and Vietnamese companies, institutions and innovators. Our goal is to build practical partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for both countries," says Minister Tavio.

According to Minister Tavio, priority areas for cooperation include:

• Digital infrastructure and data centres
• Clean and flexible energy solutions supporting digital growth
• Smart and sustainable industrial parks
• Circular economy and resource efficiency
• Smart cities, transport and logistics
• Research, innovation and technology partnerships
• Green transition and sustainable infrastructure

In addition to official meetings, Minister Tavio will engage with the Vietnamese business community and representatives of leading Finnish companies operating in Vietnam. He is also scheduled to meet with Vietnamese leading companies in innovation and infrastructural development.

"Wärtsilä has been operating in Vietnam for many years, and we know that accelerating the energy transition requires close collaboration between governments, industry and technology providers. High-level visits like this help strengthen the dialogue needed to align policy with concrete projects on the ground, creating the stability needed for long-term investments in reliable, affordable, and sustainable power systems," said Thanh Pham, Managing Director of Wärtsilä Vietnam.

Vietnam is Finland's most important trading partner in Southeast Asia, and both countries see significant untapped potential under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). To further utilise these potentials, trade promotion and business networking activities play an important role in helping Finnish companies access the Vietnamese market, identify suitable partners and explore new business opportunities, thereby contributing to closer economic cooperation under the Finland–Vietnam Strategic Partnership and the two countries’ longstanding bilateral relationship.

“For a Finnish company exploring a new market, having access to local knowledge, networks and the right introductions can make a significant difference. Being part of this Team Finland delegation has opened new conversations and helped us better understand where our technology can respond to local needs, which is valuable in our first steps”, shared Petter Selenius, Sales Manager of Marioff Corporation Oy.

The role of cooperation also extends to research and innovation. Finland and Vietnam are building connections between universities, companies and public sector stakeholders, creating opportunities to develop new solutions and strengthen the skills and knowledge needed for sustainable growth.

Dr. Jari Hannu, Dean of Education, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu stated "Technology alone isn't enough—sustainable growth relies on skilled people and joint research. Delegations like this help us connect directly with local decision-makers and companies to build practical education and R&D partnerships."

The visit is also part of a broader programme of Finland-Vietnam engagement in the coming months, including initiatives in Smart City Asia 2026, European Higher Education Week, International Education Conference & EdTech Exhibition (IECEE 2026), and a food trade mission from Finland to Vietnam to attend Food Expo 2026. These activities reflect the shared ambition of both countries to strengthen practical cooperation and contribute to Vietnam's sustainable development.