The message expressed the gratitude and best wishes of the Vietnamese Government and people to the Swedish Government, royal family and people.

Sweden was the first developed nation to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam and had strong solidarity movements to support Vietnam in its resistance war, Khiem noted.

Over the past 40 years, the tradition of friendship between the two countries has continued to develop in a variety of fields, from politics, trade, investment, culture, and education to science and technology, Khiem wrote, stating his belief that the friendship would continue its stable development towards an equal, comprehensive partnership.

Both countries have frequently exchanged visits at all levels to consolidate bilateral ties, Khiem wrote, and projects built with Swedish support – including the Swedish Children’s Hospital, Uong Bi General Hospital and Bai Bang Paper Mill – were vivid symbols of the friendship.

Development assistance from Sweden has been used effectively by Vietnam for priority targets such as poverty reduction, environmental protection and administrative reform.

Major Swedish enterprises including Comvik, Ericsson, Electrolux and Ikea have been operating effectively in Vietnam, and Sweden has bought shoes, garments, wood furniture and food products from Vietnam, but bilateral trade and investment have remained modest and below the expectations of both nations. Trade last year amounted to about 450 million USD.

As Vietnam promotes its renewal process and integrates into the world economy, the country is becoming Sweden ’s equal partner, and the two countries are aiming to increase bilateral trade to 1 billion USD annually in the coming years.