Sweden - a friend in need of Vietnam

(VNF) - On the National Day of Sweden (June 6), let us look back on the long-standing friendship treasured by Vietnam and Sweden in over four decades.

Solidarity during wartime

Sweden was the first Western nation to formalize diplomatic relation with Vietnam (Jan 11, 1969).

Sweden was also remembered as the Western country with outstanding anti-war wave supporting Vietnam in the national defense war against the US. Together with the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Laos, Cambodia, Sweden unwaveringly stood by Vietnam throughout the fierce time of the war.

In Feb 1972, the Democratic Society Party of Sweden even made a general announcement in front of the National Assembly urging the US to stop bombarding Vietnam and sign in the Paris Agreement.

The announcement later had received 3.5 million signatures from Swedish people showing their supports for Vietnam.

Prime Minister Olof Palme (center) in an anti-war demonstration in Stockholm (source: vietnamnet)

During those years, thousands of young people in Sweden, including Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, took part in mass protest showing their opposition against the war conducted by US in Vietnam. Other demonstrations, street sales of Vietnambulletinen (publication on anti war campaign), leafletings, fund collections were also part of the strong anti-war movement in the North European country.

Sponsor for post war relief

Sweden has over the years provided more than 3 billion USD in support and thus became the second largest ODA donor to Vietnam in the 70's, the largest in the 80's - which accounting for 64 percent of total Vietnam's aid receipts.

During the postwar period, Sweden had dedicated vast efforts to help Vietnam improve its capacity in various aspects, especially in public healthcare, manufacturing sector and rural development.

Manufacturing paper conveyor in Bai Bang manufacturing factory (source: phutho.gov.vn)

The construction of a paper and pulp mill at Bai Bang became by far the largest and most significant element of this development program.

Furthermore, the forestry components of the Bai Bang Project were eventually separated into the Plantation and Soil Conservation Program (PSCP), which commenced in 1986, aiming to enhance sustainable growth, environment protection and poverty reduction.

In terms of healthcare, Sweden sponsored Vietnam in building the Children’s Hospital, which was completed by late 1980, and the General Hospital in Uong Bi city, Quang Ninh province in 1981. The support provided to the construction of the two hospital has been a successful and lasting demonstration of Sweden’s solidarity with Vietnam.

Currently, Uong Bi General Hospital is still a well-maintained and trusted health establishment, meeting demands for health check-up and treatment for residents in Quang Ninh and the neighboring provinces, while the Children’s Hospital (aka 'Swedish children’s hospital') is still the national premier facility in taking care of children's health.

Nowadays, the picture of late Prime Minister Olof Palme was still showed in the hospital board room, in order to express the deep gratitude and respect of Vietnamese people to the great friend of them.

Supporter in reformation years (years of Doi Moi)

As the main Western donor in Vietnam during the early years of Doi Moi, Sweden played a special role in supporting the economic, legal and administrative reforms that would provide the foundation for the emerging market economy.

For instance, the support to build capacity in market-based economics also extended to the National Economic University (NEU) where Sweden had a long term presence, delivering over USD 7 million in programs over a 15 year period starting in the mid-1990s.

Since 2000s, Sweden has been providing training for Vietnamese journalists through the help of the Swedish Institute for Further Education of Journalists (FOJO). The courses provided by the project aimed to improve the professional skills of journalists, but also provided opportunity for dialogue on the role of the media and the Press Law.

From sponsorship to partnership

Nowadays, almost 100 Swedish and Sweden-linked businesses are represented on the ground of Vietnam, including Erisson, IKEA, Tetra Pak.

Sweden has a lot to offer, not least innovative and sustainable solutions, in line with Vietnam's green growth development. The result was proven by the two-way trade with Vietnam which increased 10% last year compared to 2015 and stood at around USD 1.3 billion.

Bilateral ties in trade, economics and other fields are promising to further bloom, as last year, the biggest ever trade delegation from Sweden led by Ms Ann Linde, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade, visited Vietnam.

Recently, the visit to Sweden by Chairwoman of National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in April 2017 has opened more opportunities for cooperation in the near future.

The two countries are continuing to nurture cooperation in multi areas, especially in science-technology, education-training, healthcare and eco-friendly technology. Sweden also strongly supports the acceleration of EVFTA for the common interest of the two countries.

And just last week, a trade delegation from Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi was visiting Sweden to learn about the Swedish experience in building sustainable cities.

In addition, the Chamber for Trade and Investment Promotion of Sweden was recently opened in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city, along with the launch of direct flight from Stockholm to Phu Quoc island are vivid evidence proving the blossoming prospective of the relationship.

H&M will be officially launched in Vietnam in 3rd quarter of 2017 (source: pose.com)

According to Swedish ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Högberg, huge firms of Sweden including the furniture giant IKEA and fashion brand H&M are going to expand their official presence in Vietnam, which help foster the economics and share experience of sustainable development.

Furthermore, the Swedish embassy also paid attention to assisting Vietnam in positive social development through various campaign including the photo contest Vietnam Equal family (promoting gender equality) or launching the guidebook the "Respect your body" to help raise awareness of society on preventing child sexual abuse.

In terms of education, Sweden universities are joining hands with Vietnam's universities. At the moment, Uppsala University has already set up representative office in Vietnam and currently offer numerous master programmes for Vietnamese students.

With all of the foundation built in the past, "and now the focus is on the future and the both countries committed strengthening the partnership" (said ambassador Pereric) and the ongoing progress, we can firmly believe the two countries are on the right track to a flourishing future./.

( Phi Yen )