On May 28, 2026, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang received and held talks with Jarno Syrjala, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. 

Attending the meeting on the Finnish side were Pekka Voutilainen, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Vietnam; Helena Voukko and Riikka Seppala, representatives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Finland in Hanoi; along with representatives of major Finnish corporations, including Wärtsilä Group (energy), PES-Architects (construction and smart urban development), KONE Corporation (elevators and smart urban development), and Valmet Group (paper industry, biofuels and automation).

During the meeting, the two sides engaged in frank and in-depth discussions on the implementation progress of the Vietnam - Finland Strategic Partnership, which was upgraded during Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Finland in October 2025. Discussions focused on five key areas, namely bilateral relations and the Action Plan; circular economy; smart urban development; energy security and energy transition; and trade cooperation.

Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang affirmed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade identifies economic, trade and investment cooperation as the most important pillar of the Strategic Partnership. She noted that the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs are coordinating to formulate the Action Plan and that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has already provided official comments on the draft. The Deputy Minister also highly appreciated the active implementation of memoranda of understanding between enterprises of the two countries.

Regarding the circular economy, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang stressed that Finland is one of Europe’s leading countries in this field. The Ministry of Industry and Trade stands ready to closely coordinate in effectively utilising the EU - Vietnam Circular Economy Programme and expanding pilot projects in key sectors such as plastics, construction and manufacturing. She also proposed the early establishment of an inter-sectoral working group to exchange standards on energy efficiency, transfer energy-saving technologies and promote circular economy development in industrial parks and industrial clusters.

On smart urban development, the Deputy Minister highly valued Finland’s experience in Helsinki and Espoo. She noted that the Vietnamese Government recently issued Decree No. 269/2025/ND-CP dated October 14, 2025 on smart urban development, creating a unified legal framework for the sector. The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed that Finnish enterprises such as PES-Architects and KONE strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese localities in digital infrastructure, smart transport and sustainable mobility.

Regarding energy security and energy transition, the Deputy Minister affirmed that Vietnam is vigorously implementing the adjusted Power Development Plan VIII with the orientation of gradually reducing coal-fired thermal power, while accelerating renewable energy and new energy development. She acknowledged Wärtsilä Group’s efforts in power projects in cooperation with Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and proposed that Finland continue expanding technological cooperation in areas of Vietnam’s interest.

On trade, the Finnish side expressed interest in further promoting bilateral trade and investment activities and introducing Finnish enterprises to participate in Vietnam’s trade promotion programmes.

Finland also showed interest in expanding negotiations and signing next-generation free trade agreements with countries worldwide and is currently studying the possibility of joining the CPTPP. The Deputy Minister welcomed Finnish enterprises and affirmed that with Finland’s manufacturing capacity, technological strengths and supply chains, Vietnam would be an ideal destination. She invited Finnish enterprises to participate in the annual Vietnam International Sourcing Expo organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to strengthen supply chain connectivity in Vietnam.

Regarding the CPTPP, the Deputy Minister said that Vietnam is serving as the rotating chair of the CPTPP Commission in 2026 and that the Ministry of Industry and Trade is actively implementing activities within the CPTPP framework this year, while welcoming Finland’s proposals.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang proposed that the technical teams of both sides continue in-depth discussions on cooperation areas, while strengthening business connectivity and trade promotion activities, thereby contributing to the substantive and effective development of the Vietnam - Finland Strategic Partnership in the coming time.