Politburo Member and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity Trinh Van Quyet (R) meets with Jiri Mäntysalo, Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of Finland. (Photo: VNA)

Viet Nam, Finland move to strengthen political trust, expand cooperation

Politburo Member and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity Trinh Van suggested that Finland further promote its role as a bridge between Viet Nam and the European Union (EU), while Viet Nam could serve as a bridge between Finland and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He called for effective utilization of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged Finland to encourage the remaining EU member states to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) at an early date.

A delegation of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), led by Politburo Member and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity Trinh Van Quyet paid a working visit to Finland from November 4-7 to strengthen political trust and promote multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

The visit that took place one year after the establishment of the two countries’ Strategic Partnership provided an opportunity for both sides to enhance cooperation through Party channels, foster people-to-people exchanges and advance the implementation of high-level agreements, cited NDO.

During a meeting with First Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Paula Risikko, Quyet expressed his appreciation for Finland's valuable support for Viet Nam's past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as its current cause of national construction and development.

Affirming Viet Nam's high regard for its friendship with Finland, he proposed maintaining high-level exchanges, strengthening ties between political parties and parliamentary cooperation, and sharing experience in policymaking. He also called for closer links among universities, research institutes and businesses in education, science, technology and innovation.

Quyet suggested that Finland further promote its role as a bridge between Viet Nam and the European Union (EU), while Viet Nam could serve as a bridge between Finland and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He called for effective utilization of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged Finland to encourage the remaining EU member states to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) at an early date.

On multilateral cooperation, he suggested the two countries coordinate closely at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), continue to uphold multilateralism, adhere to the United Nations Charter and promote the rule of law. He also stressed the importance of supporting ASEAN's common position on the East Sea/South China Sea and settling disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Risikko affirmed Viet Nam is an important partner of Finland, noting considerable potential for cooperation, particularly in science and technology, energy, education, smart cities and labor. She said the two countries' foreign ministries were working together to develop an action programme for implementing the Strategic Partnership and called for stronger coordination at multilateral forums.

The two sides agreed to promote the role of their respective parliaments in facilitating the implementation of bilateral agreements and creating favourable conditions for trade and investment.

At a meeting with Jiri Mäntysalo, Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of Finland, Quyet thanked Finnish communists for their longstanding support for Viet Nam and shared the country's socio-economic achievements and experience gained during 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), according to VNA.

The Vietnamese delegation takes photo with students at the primary school named after the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (Photo: VNA)

He highlighted the close relationship between the Party and the people, the combination of theory and practice, and the people-centred approach to development, with economic growth going hand in hand with social progress and equity. Reaffirming Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, he proposed enhancing theoretical exchanges, media cooperation and coordination at multilateral forums of political parties.

Mäntysalo spoke highly of Viet Nam's Doi Moi achievements and foreign policy, describing the country as a model in building socialism. He noted strong interest among Finnish communists and young people in learning from the CPV's experience. Both sides agreed to maintain contacts, exchange information on international developments and the international communist and workers' movements, and promote exchanges among organisations, particularly youth organisations.

Meeting with Mauri Raveala, President of the Finland-Viet Nam Friendship Association, and its members, Quyet congratulated the association on its 55th founding anniversary (1971-2026) and praised its longstanding solidarity and support for Viet Nam.

He encouraged the association to attract more young members and strengthen links among localities, educational institutions and businesses to expand cooperation in economics, trade, science and technology. Raveala and association members expressed their affection for Viet Nam and proposed practical cooperation initiatives in forestry, shipbuilding, logistics services, human resources training and water treatment, contributing to the implementation of the bilateral Strategic Partnership.

At a meeting with Marit af Björkesten, Chief Executive Officer of Finnish public broadcaster Yle, Quyet congratulated the broadcaster on its 100th anniversary (1926-2026) and proposed exchanges of programmes introducing the two countries and their people, as well as joint productions on education, the environment and sustainable development. He also called for sharing experience in digital transformation and media workforce training.

Björkesten highlighted Yle's public service mission, stressing that providing accurate information was fundamental to maintaining audience trust. She shared the broadcaster's experience in fact-checking and developing digital content, particularly for younger audiences, and welcomed cooperation proposals, especially in digital media and the responsible application of artificial intelligence.

During the visit, Quyet also called on Finnish partners to facilitate the integration of the Vietnamese community into local society while supporting the preservation of the Vietnamese language and national cultural identity.

The delegation met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Finland and representatives of the Vietnamese community, discussing bilateral relations, community affairs and ways to strengthen connections between overseas Vietnamese and their homeland.

The meetings took place in a sincere, frank and open atmosphere, helping consolidate political trust, identify new cooperation opportunities and create fresh momentum for the Viet Nam-Finland Strategic Partnership to develop in a substantive and effective manner.

CPV values traditional friendship with Mexican Labor Party

The Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) always values its traditional friendship with Mexican Labor Party (PT), deputy head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity Tran Thanh Lam told PT General Secretary Senator Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez.

Lam, who was in Mexico from November 2–7, praised the PT and Anaya Gutiérrez personally for building solidarity and friendship between the two countries’ Parties and people. He said Anaya Gutiérrez’s Viet Nam visit in August and the signing of the 2026–2031 cooperation agreement create new momentum and deepened practical, effective Party relations.

Lam proposed deeper theoretical exchanges and sharing of experience in Party building and national development; stronger cooperation in education, science, culture, external information, press, publishing and traditional medicine. He singled out early childhood education, calling for more expert and teacher exchanges, practical experience sharing and cooperation agendas suited to each side’s needs and conditions.

Anaya Gutiérrez, for his part, praised Vietnam’s Doi Moi (renewal) achievements and experience, especially the creative application of theory to national development and the linking of economic growth with social progress, justice and higher living standards. He expressed his interest in the CPV’s experience in political and ideological education, personnel training and retraining, and publicity in building social consensus.

Stressing the value of sharing experience and theoretical and political works between the two Parties, he said he wants more cooperation in theoretical research, external information, press and publishing, helping political parties, researchers and international friends, especially those in Latin America, better understand Vietnam’s guidelines, experience and development gains.

On behalf of the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA), Lam handed over an agreement granting publishing rights and transferred the electronic version of a book entitled “Aspiration for a prosperous Viet Nam in the new era” to the PT. VNA compiled and published the book in English and Spanish, selecting 46 outstanding articles and speeches by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President To Lam since August 2024.

The Vietnamese official said the grant of publishing rights carries profound political, ideological, cultural and diplomatic significance and introduces the CPV’s guidelines, viewpoints and strategic development vision to Mexican and Latin American friends, especially orientations to bringing Viet Nam into a new development era.

Anaya Gutiérrez said publishing and disseminating CPV leaders’ works in Spanish gives Latin American political parties, researchers and readers more material on the Doi Moi process, Vietnam’s development model and strategic orientations in the new period.

Together with Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai, Lam attended the 26th International Conference on Early Childhood and Preschool Education staged by PT.

At the conference, Lam shared Vietnam’s guidelines, policies, achievements and experience in early childhood education. He stressed the importance of international cooperation, resource mobilisation and solutions to ensure all children have access to quality early childhood care and education, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The event served as a forum for policy experience and international cooperation in child care, education and sweeping development. The Vietnamese delegation’s presence showed a proactive, responsible approach to early childhood education challenges and opened cooperation opportunities, especially with the Early Childhood Development Centre (CENDI) system run by the PT.

As part of the visit, Lam attended a roundtable of the Hemispheric Network of Parliamentarians and Former parliamentarians for Early Childhood Education. The event focused on the role of legislatures in refining policies, increasing investment, pooling resources and driving international cooperation to ensure children’s right to care, education and comprehensive development from the earliest years.

In Nuevo León state, Lam met Governor Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda and held a working session with Stephan D. Kipper, Subscretary of Tourism in charge of Nuevo León sustainable tourism.

During meetings, he praised Nuevo León’s economic, industrial, education and tourism achievements and cooperation potential between Vietnamese and Mexican localities, especially with both countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). He proposed more sharing of experience in education, workforce training, science, technology, digital transformation, sustainable tourism and cultural preservation and promotion; and stronger linkages among educational establishments, businesses and localities.

In Monterrey city, Lam held a working session with César Garza Villarreal, Secretary of the municipal Council. The two sides discussed cooperation potential in education, culture, urban development, communications and people-to-people exchanges, aiming to expand ties between Vietnamese and Mexican localities.

Roundtable connects Viet Nam-Africa trade and investment

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a Viet Nam-Africa trade and investment roundtable at its headquarters on November 6 in Hanoi, on the occasion of non-resident African Ambassadors presenting their credentials to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam.

The roundtable focused on trade and investment connectivity opportunities across key sectors, including food, seafood, tea, coffee, cashew nuts, textiles, chemicals, mining, mechanical engineering, machine manufacturing, digital technology, telecommunications, processing technology, and electric vehicles.

Participants included representatives from 16 Vietnamese business associations and enterprises, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), along with Ambassadors and delegates from Morocco, Mozambique, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Guinea, Mauritania, Algeria, Nigeria, and Libya. All Vietnamese Ambassadors in Africa also attended virtually.

In her opening remarks, Nguyen Phuong Tra, Director General of the Department of Middle East and Africa Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recalled the enduring and trusted relationship between Viet Nam and African nations while emphasizing Africa's role and importance in the world's future development. She affirmed the high attention from key and senior leaders, as well as the determination of ministries and agencies to accompany Vietnamese enterprises in forging deeper, stronger, and more cohesive cooperation with African economies for the practical benefit of businesses and to contribute to the country's double-digit growth target.

A representative from the Department of Economic Affairs shared Viet Nam's economic potential and upcoming policy orientations, alongside the interests of Vietnamese businesses when cooperating with African countries. The representative outlined requirements for legal policy transparency, stable investment and business protection mechanisms, streamlined cross-border payment capabilities, and skilled labor standards from host countries in Africa.

Addressing the African Ambassadors visiting Viet Nam for the first time to present their credentials, Moroccan Ambassador Jamale Chouaibi, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the African Ambassadors Group in Viet Nam, highlighted Viet Nam's potential, strengths, and robust development, particularly in the current period. He proposed establishing an Africa-Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce, hosting periodic Africa–Vietnam Forums, and increasing in-person and virtual networking events.

Mozambican Ambassador Ilundi Dos Santos stressed that with its recent strong development achievements, Viet Nam is an exceptionally fitting partner to accompany, support, and share experience with African nations.

Angolan Ambassador Fernando Miguel noted that to maintain a sustainable partnership and companionship, African nations wish not only to boost trade cooperation but also to see more Vietnamese enterprises invest and establish a long-term presence in Africa.

Affirming their sound friendship and cooperation with Viet Nam, Ambassadors Franck E.W. Adjagba of Benin, Lenkoko Sylvester Kenosi of Botswana, Lounceny Conde of Guinea, and Lucy Njeri Kiruthu of Mauritania detailed potential, strengths, preferential policies, and cooperation demands across multiple sectors, particularly agriculture, agricultural processing, mining, infrastructure development, healthcare, technology, and tourism, reported VOV.

At the Viet Nam-Africa trade and investment roundtable hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador of Benin shared that his government offers highly favorable policies, including a 17-year tax exemption and business registration licensing within just three days. Emphasizing the bilateral foundation as Guinea was the first African nation to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam, the Guinean Ambassador expressed a desire to cooperate with Vietnamese firms in bauxite and iron ore extraction and processing.

The Ambassador of Botswana views Viet Nam as a strong partner in modernizing Botswana's agriculture, while the Mauritanian Ambassador looks to beef up cooperation in fisheries, food production, and processing.

Highly valuing the practical significance of the roundtable, representatives of Vietnamese associations and enterprises proposed various measures to boost bilateral cooperation.

Building on established trade links, the Viet Nam Food Association stands ready to expand and diversify the presence of Vietnamese food products in the African market.

The Viet Nam National Chemical Group requested African Ambassadors maintain contact and facilitate procedures to promote raw material and mineral imports from African nations.

The Bac Ninh City Industrial Production Association discussed advanced, reasonably priced technologies with the Ambassadors, such as chemical-free high-tech agricultural preservation and pineapple processing technology, a key product of Benin.

Other opinions pointed out cooperation opportunities in both raw material supply channels and local investment potential in emerging fields. A VCCI representative affirmed efforts and willingness to accompany enterprises from both sides in exploring and strengthening cooperation, while effectively exploiting the potential and strengths of Viet Nam and African countries.

Concluding the roundtable, delegates networked and agreed to maintain close communication channels, stepping up cooperation to turn bilateral potential and strengths into concrete contracts and cooperation projects.

Viet Nam - Cambodia - Laos Youth Festival 2026 opens in Quang Ngai

The Viet Nam - Cambodia - Laos Youth Festival 2026 opened in the central province of Quang Ngai on November 8, drawing nearly 100 young people from the three countries.

In his opening speech, Standing Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and head of the provincial National Assembly delegation U Huan said the festival carries deep political, diplomatic and people-to-people significance and is becoming a traditional fixture. The people of Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos have stood together through history, shared hardships and given each other wholehearted support in national liberation, construction and defense. That special solidarity is an invaluable spiritual asset that today’s generations must inherit, preserve and uphold.

He said he wants the youth of the three countries to keep nurturing friendship through knowledge, mettle, responsibility, creativity and the aspiration to contribute; serve as connecting bridges and peace envoys, and spread each nation’s country, people and culture to international friends.

Hour Chhunkry, Chairman of the Education, Youth and Sports Committee of the Central Committee of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, said the festival is not only a cultural and art exchange but also a statement of solidarity, brotherhood and close cooperation among the three countries. It is a chance for younger generations to carry forward the friendship legacy built by their predecessors and take trilateral elations further.

Immediately after the opening, delegates attended a seminar on practical ways to raise the youth role in fostering people-to-people exchanges, solidarity and cooperation among the three countries’ border localities.

Lao youth representatives proposed upholding the role of volunteer youth in improving livelihoods and developing border communities. Joint agenda should focus on building and repairing infrastructure, supporting vulnerable groups, community health care, disaster prevention and response, and environmental protection. They should also step up vocational training, technical transfer, sci-tech application in production, and support for young people in accessing capital, expanding markets, creating jobs and developing local livelihoods, cited VNA.

At the seminar among the three countries' youth (Photo: VNA)

They suggested studying a Viet Nam-Laos-Cambodia volunteer youth fund to pool resources and drive cooperation for sustainable development in border areas.

Under the festival, participants will visit key economic projects, local production models, and revolutionary historical sites; plant friendship trees, join cultural and art exchanges, experience Quang Ngai’s nature, and travel to the Viet Nam-Laos-Cambodia tri-border markers.

Viet Nam News Today (Nov. 2): Vietnam’s Trade Surpasses US$1 Trillion as Domestic Value-added Challenge Persists

Viet Nam News Today (Nov. 5): Viet Nam’s 10-Month FDI Inflows Reach Over US$54 Billion