The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on the mobility of Vietnamese experts, skilled workers and seasonal workers to work in Finland.
From 13 to 15 January 2025, a delegation of the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, led by Minister of Employment Arto Olavi Satonen, visited and worked in Viet Nam and attended a number of events in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City to promote Finland–Viet Nam relations. The visit opened up broad avenues of cooperation and career opportunities in Finland for Vietnamese workers in fields such as technology, industry and healthcare. Minister Satonen was accompanied by the Mayor of Helsinki and leaders of corporations, enterprises and labour market service organisations.
At the talks between Viet Nam's Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung highly appreciated the results of cooperation between Viet Nam and Finland to date. According to the Minister, relations between the two countries are gradually shifting from a development partnership to mutually beneficial cooperation, and this friendship has continued to flourish through high-level visits by both sides, especially in 2023 when the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973–2023). In 2024, high-level exchanges between the two countries, such as the official visit to Viet Nam by Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (March 2024) and the meeting between General Secretary Tô Lâm and Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the United Nations General Assembly (24 September 2024), helped to promote and deepen the partnership between the two countries.
Minister Đào Ngọc Dung said that the visit to Viet Nam by the delegation of the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment was highly significant, contributing to ever-better relations between Viet Nam and Finland. On this occasion, the Minister briefly shared some information about the labour market in Viet Nam. In particular, Viet Nam has a national policy framework to respond to population ageing. Viet Nam is seeking to promote science, technology and innovation and digital transformation to escape the middle-income trap and become an industrialised, developed country in the future.
On Vietnamese workers going abroad, Minister Đào Ngọc Dung said that in recent years Viet Nam has sent nearly 160,000 workers abroad each year (159,986 in 2023 and nearly 159,000 in 2024), and around 700,000 Vietnamese workers are currently working in 40 countries and territories in more than 30 occupational groups.
"With the advantages of youth, diligence and intelligence, Vietnamese workers are increasingly trusted by enterprises in the international labour market, including Finland," Minister Đào Ngọc Dung affirmed. Since late 2023, MOLISA has approved the registration of three Vietnamese service enterprises with contracts to supply 134 workers (including 65 women) to work in Finland. To date, 55 workers have gone to work in Finland, with stable incomes of EUR 1,500 to 2,000 per month and fairly good working conditions and social benefits.
For his part, Finnish Minister of Employment Arto Olavi Satonen said: "Finland wishes to strengthen cooperation between our two countries to help enterprises and international professionals connect with one another. We are committed to supporting employers and professionals to ensure favourable conditions for successful recruitment. Upholding ethical standards and smooth recruitment processes remain our top priorities. Finland will continue to be a reliable partner in international recruitment, while offering a high quality of life and diverse career opportunities."
Following the talks, the two Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MOLISA and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, establishing a labour migration partnership between the two parties within their respective competences and in accordance with applicable laws, procedures and resources, while respecting international rules and standards. Sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation is the foundation for promoting the transparent, sustainable and ethical deployment of Vietnamese experts, skilled workers and seasonal workers to work in Finland, and for combating exploitation and abuse, in line with the laws of both countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding is valid for five years, from 2025 to 2030, and was signed in Ha Noi on 13 January 2025.