Hanoi (VNA) – Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan’s official visit to Sweden from November 10-13 will help consolidate and deepen the sound traditional friendship between the two nations, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Sweden Tran Van Tuan.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Tuan underscored the significance of Xuan’s trip, the first ever by a Vietnamese Vice President, saying it will come at a crucial moment as both nations are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic relations (1969-2024).

During her stay, Xuan will meet with Sweden’s top parliamentary and government leaders to discuss measures to enhance mutual understanding, deepen the relations between the two countries' people as well as develop the bilateral cooperation in a more practical fashion. Several Memoranda of Understanding between the two ministries and sectors will be signed on this occasion.

The Vietnamese diplomat stressed that Xuan’s trip showcases Vietnam’s commitment to creating a stable and favourable environment for investment and business activities of Swedish enterprises, adding a centerpiece of the economic agenda is the Vietnam – Sweden Business Roundtable focusing on digital transformation and sustainable development – the areas of the European country’s expertise and Vietnam’s demand.

The trip, he said, is expected to give fresh impetus to bolster collaboration between businesses of both sides in those domains, with the highlight being the announcement of a direct maritime route connecting Vung Tau port in Vietnam's southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Sweden's Gothenburge port, which is set to advance two-way trade in the coming time.

Besides, Xuan is scheduled to meet with the Vietnamese community in the European nation during which she will affirm the Party and State’s consistent policy of considering the overseas Vietnamese an inseparable part of the nation and encouraging them to make contributions to the development of the homeland, he stated.

According to Tuan, Vietnam and Sweden have enjoyed a time-honoured relationship and cooperation, with Sweden being the first European nation to recognise and set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1969. Sweden has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Vietnam during the latter’s struggle for national independence, freedom, peace and reunification as well as its current construction and development. Over the past 55 years, the two countries have nurtured and deepened their ties and carved out noble achievements across sectors.

He laid stress on the robust political confidence between the two countries, with Vietnam seeing Sweden as a good friend and a trustworthy partner in Northern Europe, and Sweden considering Vietnam an important partner in Southeast Asia. He highlighted regular political consultations and delegation exchanges, particularly those at high level, have create important momentum to enhance the traditional ties across politics, economy, trade, investment, science-technology, culture, education and health care, among others.

As many as 107 pacts and 12 bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries, 42 of which are still valid, serving as an important basis to step up their cooperation in the new era – the era of science-technology and sustainable development, he said.

He went on to underscore that Sweden is one of the largest ODA provider for Vietnam, helping the country with its poverty reduction efforts and socio-economic development, adding Sweden has assisted Vietnam in training experts in various domains such as agro-forestry, health care, electricity, press and communications.

Additionally, two countries have witnessed robust trade ties, with two-way trade reaching some 1.3 billion USD in 2023, and 966.77 million USD in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year rise of 11%. Currently, Sweden is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Northern Europe while Vietnam is the biggest importer of Sweden in Southeast Asia.

As of June 2024, Sweden registered 743.65 million USD in 111 projects in Vietnam, ranking 29th among 143 countries and territories landing investments in the Southeast Asian country. Meanwhile, Vietnam has funneled around 5.2 million USD into Sweden since 2019.

Tuan said the two countries have enjoyed strong culture-education cooperation over the recent past, with major cultural events held to mark the 55th anniversary of t🧸he diplomatic relations, helping tighten the friendship between their people./.