Vietnam and Sweden hold substantial potential for sustainable development cooperation, particularly in smart infrastructure, innovation, digital transformation, and the application of green solutions. During a recent working visit to Vietnam, Ms. Sara Modig, State Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, spoke with Vietnam Economic Times/VnEconomy about strengthening bilateral cooperation to advance the implementation of the Strategic Partnership, particularly in science, technology, and innovation.
During your visit to Vietnam, how do you assess the cooperation between Sweden and Vietnam, especially since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in science, technology, and innovation?
Sweden and Vietnam have maintained a long-standing friendship. Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1969. During this visit, I am very impressed with Vietnam's rapid development, aiming to achieve high-income status by 2045. To reach these goals, Vietnam needs to develop smart, climate-friendly, and high-quality infrastructure.
The Strategic Partnership in science, technology, and innovation between Vietnam and Sweden, signed during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Sweden in June 2025, has opened a promising new chapter. Moreover, Vietnam has a talented young workforce, a valuable resource for development. We are pleased to know that in 2025, over 300 Vietnamese students were admitted to Swedish universities, including 11 global expert scholarships from the Swedish Institute (SISGP) and 8 pioneering women in STEM scholarships.
Sweden is ready to accompany Vietnam on this journey, especially in innovation, green transition, and digital transformation. With our expertise and innovative capabilities, how can Sweden support Vietnam in critical infrastructure projects, such as the North-South high-speed railway or green port transformation?
Sweden ranks second in the Global Innovation Index 2025 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), with extensive experience in developing safe, efficient, and human-centered infrastructure. We can support Vietnam through the Triple Helix model, a collaboration between government, scientists, and businesses to turn innovation into practical action.
We have committed $21.28 million to the Vietnam Climate Fund, focusing on solar energy projects in the central provinces and transferring battery storage technology from Northvolt to reduce coal dependency. We are discussing support of $15.96 million for an electric bus system using Volvo batteries in the "Green City 2030" project in Ho Chi Minh City.
For the North-South high-speed railway and green ports, companies like ABB, Atlas Copco, and Scania can provide low-carbon solutions and smart logistics. In Hai Phong, we are promoting cooperation with the Port of Gothenburg to build an emission-free port, creating 1,000 local jobs by 2028, according to Vattenfall's forecast.
Additionally, Swedish companies like ABB, Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Volvo, SKF, and others have contributed to the modernization of Vietnam's industrial and port infrastructure. By expanding and strengthening existing partnerships, Sweden can support Vietnam in building a low-carbon transportation system, digital connectivity, and global competitiveness, contributing to the country's green transition.
Vietnam is currently implementing many preferential policies to attract foreign investment. Can Vietnam become an attractive destination for Swedish investors? How do you assess the potential for Swedish businesses to expand their presence in Vietnam, especially in green and innovative sectors?
Vietnam is a dynamic and forward-thinking partner for Sweden in Southeast Asia, thanks to its high-quality workforce, rapidly expanding industry, and commitment to green development, such as achieving Net Zero by 2050. Trust and openness between the two sides are key factors, with import-export turnover between Hai Phong and Sweden reaching over $160 million in 2024 and more than $120 million in the first nine months of 2025, which is very encouraging.
Swedish businesses view Vietnam not only as a market but also as a long-term partner in sustainable innovation. We predict that exports of green equipment to Vietnam will increase by 20% in 2026, reaching $212.8 million. There is significant potential for expansion in the green sector. We have established the Swedish-Vietnamese Green Business Working Group, providing $53.2 million in financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
In Hai Phong, companies like ABB, Atlas Copco, and SKF are supply chain partners of VinFast, providing industrial robots and high-end components. We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with VCCI to train 500 workers in the circular economy, with over 70 Swedish companies operating in Vietnam as evidence of this investment attraction.
Both Sweden and Vietnam are committed to climate action and green growth. Sweden has demonstrated that economic growth and emission reduction can go hand in hand. What policies or experiences have helped Sweden achieve this success, and how can this approach be applied to support Vietnam?
We have shown that economic growth and emission reduction can go hand in hand: Sweden's GDP has doubled since 1990, while emissions have halved. This success is based on stable policies such as carbon pricing, green procurement, and long-term climate goals (carbon neutrality by 2045). The Triple Helix model promotes collaboration between government, scientists, and businesses, with $692 million invested in excellent research and digital infrastructure. We also attract global talent, with over 40,000 international students in 2022-2023, accounting for 10% of the total student population.
To apply this to Vietnam, we are ready to share our experience through the Joint Declaration on Climate Change Cooperation, providing technical support for the National Energy Strategy until 2030. At the Erasmus event in Hanoi on November 3, 2025, we introduced an innovation ecosystem for Vietnam to apply in carbon management training for 1,000 businesses and reducing methane emissions from rice agriculture.
The full article is published in the Vietnam Economic Journal, issue 45-2025, released on November 10, 2025. We invite readers to find it here: https://premium.vneconomy.vn/dat-mua/an-pham/tap-chi-kinh-te-viet-nam-so-45-2025.html
Google translate