The trip coincided with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomatic relations with Finland and the 75th with Bulgaria, symbolising enduring partnerships built on mutual trust and shared aspirations for peace, stability, and sustainable development.
According to Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the new strategic partnerships will deepen political understanding, enhance coordination at international forums, and expand cooperation in traditional sectors such as trade and investment. They will also explore new areas including the circular economy, information technology, digital transformation, and green energy, all of which are Finland’s and Bulgaria’s strengths.
During his meetings, General Secretary To Lam and leaders of both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in defense and security, reflecting mutual trust and shared priorities.
Presidents Alexander Stubb of Finland and Rumen Radev of Bulgaria welcomed General Secretary To Lam with high-level receptions, underscoring the importance they attach to ties with Vietnam. Both sides pledged to further broaden cooperation in emerging sectors such as circular economy, green transition, sustainable maritime development, digital transformation, environment, and climate change adaptation.
President Radev commended Vietnam’s impressive economic growth and its proactive foreign policy, saying that Vietnam’s recent reforms have created an increasingly attractive business environment for foreign investors.
For his part, General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam treasures its traditional friendships with Finland and Bulgaria, appreciates their past support for Vietnam’s reconstruction and development, and looks forward to continued cooperation in the new era.
A highlight of the visit was direct engagement with business communities in both European countries. The Vietnamese leader met with prominent Finnish and Bulgarian enterprises, listened to their recommendations, and invited them to explore long-term partnerships with Vietnam, according to VOV.
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| Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and Finnish President Alexander Stubb hold talks in Helsinki. |
Stefan Sundman, Chairman of Finland’s UPM Group, a global pioneer in green and circular energy solutions, expressed strong confidence in Vietnam’s business environment. He said that UPM is excited about investment opportunities in Vietnam, and that its projects can contribute to Vietnam’s economic growth and sustainable development.
Addressing hundreds of entrepreneurs, General Secretary To Lam reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for businesses from both sides to collaborate, especially amid global economic uncertainties. He emphasized that trade and economic cooperation remain central pillars of bilateral relations, driving shared prosperity.
Vietnam, he noted, possesses abundant mineral and rare-earth resources crucial for semiconductor production and high-tech industries. The country is ready to deepen cooperation in science and technology with international partners, including Finland and Bulgaria.
While in Bulgaria, the Vietnamese leader also delivered a policy speech at Sofia University, outlining five strategic pillars for future cooperation. He suggested maintaining regular high-level visits and exchanges, strengthening defense and security cooperation, expanding economic, trade, and investment partnerships, supporting multilateralism, and promoting peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law.
The success of General Secretary To Lam’s European tour lays a solid foundation for Vietnam, Finland, and Bulgaria to continue writing new chapters of cooperation for the peace and prosperity of each nation, the region, and the wider world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends ASEAN+1 Summits
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the ASEAN-India Summit and the ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday.
Addressing the ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister Pham highly valued India's role and contributions to advancing regional cooperation, upholding the voice of developing countries in global agenda.
PHam affirmed that Vietnam supports India's deployment of its Act East Policy and enhancement of comprehensive and substantive cooperation with ASEAN.
In a bid to further advance the relations between ASEAN and India, the Vietnamese Prime Minister suggested that both sides should strengthen economic connectivity and promote comparative advantages and role of their business communities, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the ASEAN-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 26, 2025. Photo: VGP |
Both sides need to increase investment in high technology, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, artificial intelligence, semiconductor while fostering Mekong-Ganga cooperation to narrow development gap, and expanding people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education and training, healthcare, culture and tourism, cited VGP.
He called for India's continued support for ASEAN's positions on the East Sea issue, and for peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Pham affirmed that Vietnam will continue close collaboration with ASEAN Member States and India in bolstering practical cooperation for peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world.
Following the Summit, leaders of the ASEAN Member States and India issued a Joint Statement on sustainable tourism, in which they reiterate their resolve to boost substantive, inclusive and sustainable cooperation in the new period.
Poland seeks to boost cooperation with Vietnamese localities
There remains huge potential for Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province and Polish localities to boost cooperation in socio-economic development, technology, and telecommunications, said Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski.
The Polish official, who is in Vietnam to join the Signing Ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (also known as Hanoi Convention), made the comment at a working session with Pham Quang Ngoc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province on October 26.
Expressing his honor at visiting and working in Ninh Binh during his trip to Vietnam, Gawkowski lauded the province’s stunning scenery and tourism potential, especially its efforts in preserving and restoring heritage.
Gawkowski affirmed that his working visit will lay the foundation for developing ties between Polish localities and Ninh Binh. He pledged to support the establishment of local-level cooperation, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the Poland–Vietnam relations in a robust, effective, and substantive way.
The official voiced his hope that businesses from both sides will have more opportunities to meet, connect, and set up partnerships in the near future, reported VNA.
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| Participants at at the working session between Chairman of the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province Pham Quang Ngoc and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski on October 26, 2025 (Photo: VNA) |
For his part, Ngoc briefed the guest on Ninh Binh’s socio-economic development, noting that the province will focus on fully tapping its potential and advantages to drive breakthrough growth under a new development model in the next five years, with heritage as a resources, culture as soft power, and advanced technology - particularly digital transformation - serving as the strategic breakthrough to realize its aspirations for progress.
The local authorities have been mobilizing all resources and vigorously implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57 on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and digital transformation, he said.
Ngoc revealed that with its strategic determination and orientation on digital transformation, Ninh Binh has been selected to host the Vietnam International Digital Week 2025 (VIDW 2025) from October 27–29, which is expected to bring together ministers and heads of delegations from ASEAN nations, as well as global leaders, managers, scientists, and experts operating in digital transformation.
He suggested Gawkowski introduce Polish localities that share similarities with Ninh Binh to promote the establishment of friendship and local-level cooperation, towards further deepening the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Poland.
With the support of the Polish official, local-level cooperation mechanisms between the two countries will soon produce tangible results, helping to boost the Vietnam–Poland relationship, he said.
Vietnam helps strengthen ASEAN’s centrality: Malaysian researcher
Since joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, Vietnam has played a key role in shaping the bloc’s ideological development and expanding its inclusivity, according to Enzo Sim Hong Jun, a researcher at Malaysia’s Penang Institute.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in Malaysia, Enzo noted that over the past three decades, Vietnam has actively contributed to maintaining and reinforcing ASEAN’s core principles and values. With strategic geographic advantages and strong capacities in economy, human resources, maritime trade, and defense, Vietnam is leveraging these strengths to enhance ASEAN’s influence and global standing.
He emphasized that Vietnam has become indispensable to the bloc’s regional connectivity initiatives, particularly in energy and trade. Vietnam plays a vital role in ensuring regional energy security and is one of the key contributors to the success of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), an ambitious project designed to link the electricity networks of all ten ASEAN members. The initiative aims to strengthen energy security, promote renewable energy integration, and drive economic growth across the region.
Vietnam’s prioritizing of infrastructure development for the APG demonstrates its strong commitment to the initiative, the researcher said, adding that such efforts reinforce ASEAN’s centrality by reducing reliance on external energy sources, VNA reported.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (sixth, left) and heads of delegations pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. (Photo: VNA) |
Regarding trade, Vietnam’s strategic location on the Indochinese Peninsula enables it to serve as a key connecter linking China with the rest of Southeast Asia. Its efforts to enhance land connectivity with China - exemplified by high-speed rail agreements linking Kunming to Vietnam - underscore the country’s pivotal role in facilitating substantial trade flows and the movement of goods across the region. This role is becoming increasingly crucial for the region’s future economic integration and resilience, particularly amid rising global trade protectionism, he said.
Vietnam’s success in attracting trade and investment continues to drive regional economic growth. Enzo suggested that the country should maintain its current strategy of broad-based cooperation - engaging both developing nations within and beyond ASEAN, as well as middle powers such as the Republic of Korea and Japan.
Vietnam’s expanding ties with blocs like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) also align with ASEAN’s goal of diversifying partnerships with other regions such as Africa and South America.
Enzo described Vietnam’s foreign and defense policy as “exemplary strategy” that has helped maintain regional peace and stability through self-reliance and constructive dialogue.
Vietnam has stood out for its balanced approach - steadfastly protecting its sovereignty without aligning with any single major power, particularly in the East Sea. Rather than pursuing confrontation, it adopts a dual-track approach that preserves its interests while avoiding unnecessary escalation. In this context, Vietnam remains a critical pillar in ASEAN’s efforts to sustain stability and peace in Southeast Asia, he noted.
The researcher highlighted Vietnam’s transformation as a compelling example of successful economic transition, turning it into one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies and a strong contributor to regional integration. He added that Vietnam’s experience, particularly in poverty reduction and economic development, provides valuable guidance for Timor-Leste as the country has joined ASEAN as the bloc’s 11th member.
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