A special meeting between Finnish friends of Vietnam took place on April 12 at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in Finland.

The event attracted the participation of nearly 60 guests, including representatives from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, experts, friends who have worked and been closely associated with Vietnam, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in the host country.

Ambassador Pham Thi Thanh Binh spoke at the meeting. Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Finland

The meeting is not only an opportunity for people to meet, exchange and share, but also an opportunity to further strengthen people-to-people exchange activities and tighten the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Finland.

This is also an opportunity for experts and friends who share a love for Vietnam to reunite, review memories, share experiences and seek opportunities for future cooperation, especially in the context of Vietnam and Finland have just entered a new stage of development, after 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2023).

Vietnam also is one of Finland’s important trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with two-way trade expanding significantly over the past 50 years.

Finland has continuously provided non-refundable aid to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations. Economic-trade-investment cooperation is a top priority in their relations.

Two-way trade has continuously increased, reaching nearly USD 380 million in 2023. However, it is still a modest number, especially in the context of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) taking effect in 2020.

Regarding investment, Finland currently ranks 58th out of 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 35 valid projects worth over USD 47 million, which also remains modest rate compared to Finland's economic potential and strengths.

This is an opportunity for experts and friends who share a love for Vietnam to reunite. Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Finland

The meeting promotes and connects cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Finland in the coming years.

Also on this occasion, the Embassy organized an exhibition of Vietnam's world heritage paintings recognized by UNESCO.

The heritage painting exhibition has opened a cultural bridge between Vietnam and Finland, contributing to promoting mutual understanding and respect for cultural and natural heritage between the two countries.

The meeting ended in a warm and friendly atmosphere with traditional Vietnamese sweet and savory cakes which left a good impression on Vietnamese country, people and cuisine in the hearts of Finnish friends.

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