Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hoàng Long attending the Vietnam-Finland Economic and Energy Cooperation Forum
On November 28, 2024, as part of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha’s working visit to Finland, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long and a delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade participated in the Vietnam-Finland Economic and Energy Cooperation Dialogue. The event marked a significant milestone in expanding cooperation between Vietnam and Finland, particularly as both nations are undergoing strong transitions toward green economies.
The dialogue attracted leading Finnish companies, including Oilon, Merus Power, Operon, Hermia Business, the Vaasa Energy Cluster, and Wärtsilä. These businesses showcased a range of technological solutions in renewable energy, wastewater treatment, carbon emissions reduction, and smart technology. Representatives from the Finnish Business Association, the Finnish Chamber of Commerce, and the Finland-Southeast Asia Business Association were also in attendance.
At the dialogue, Operon Vietnam Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Finland’s Operon Group, highlighted its successful implementation of four large-scale wastewater treatment projects in Vietnam, with a total value of €120 million. These projects have contributed to improving water quality and enhancing living standards in localities such as Pleiku, Ninh Thuận, and Bình Thuận.
Additionally, Wärtsilä, a global corporation with €7 billion in revenue and nearly 18,000 employees, presented its expertise and technology in developing flexible power plants in Vietnam. The company is currently collaborating with EVNGENCO3 to develop a 300 MW flexible power plant in Ninh Bình, which is expected to replace coal-fired power technology before 2030.
Speaking at the dialogue, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized Vietnam's vast potential in renewable energy, particularly in biomass energy in Bến Tre and wind and solar energy in the central region. He highlighted the need for Finland’s expertise and technology to accelerate Vietnam’s energy transition toward a sustainable green economy.
The Deputy Prime Minister encouraged Finnish enterprises to expand investment in areas such as green hydrogen, water treatment, clean industries, and circular economy practices. For emerging fields within the green, digital, and energy transitions, he reaffirmed the Vietnamese government’s commitment to harmonizing and adopting international standards, norms, and best practices. He assured a transparent, fair, and business-friendly legal environment to foster innovation and growth.
During the discussion, leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment addressed Finnish companies' proposals. These included developing industrial emissions standards for power plants, incorporating flexible power plants into the Power Development Plan VIII, and expediting public investment approval processes related to bilateral agreements.
At the meeting, leaders from the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN), Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), and several localities directly engaged with Finnish businesses aligned with their development strategies and goals. This interaction paved the way for new cooperation opportunities in renewable energy, wastewater treatment, maritime transportation, and smart technologies.
Both Vietnam and Finland emphasized the importance of long-term collaboration, particularly in emerging fields such as energy transition, digital transformation, and green transition. Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà expressed confidence that Vietnam's potential and innovative workforce, combined with Finland's expertise and technology, could drive significant breakthroughs in building a sustainable green economy.
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