Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg (Source: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said bilateral relationship has grown over the years, from development cooperation to win-win, equal partnership. Cooperation is focusing on trade-investment, education-training, health care, science-technology and tourism. Two-way trade surpassed 1.4 billion USD last year. Sweden ranked 34th out of the 130 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.

Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg recalled that 50 years ago, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme and people joined street parades demanding an end to the war in Vietnam.  Sweden became one of the largest donors to Vietnam during 1970-1990, he said, adding that the European country is always a trustworthy partner and will continue partnering with Vietnam in the future. 

At the event, former Vietnamese ambassadors in Sweden and Swedish ambassadors in Vietnam, officials and experts in health care, education and forestry recalled the past memories of their joint work.