Ambassadors from four Nordic countries and experts participated in the annual dialogue between Vietnam and the Nordic nations, themed “Effective Leadership and Public Governance, Promoting Innovation and Digital Transformation: Nordic and Vietnamese Experiences.” The event served as a platform for sharing insights on transparent governance, digital technology applications, and effective decentralization, aiming to foster a modern and efficient public administration system.
Vietnam is entering a crucial development phase with the goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045. In this context, innovation and digital transformation in public governance play a key role in enhancing management efficiency and driving sustainable growth. To facilitate Vietnam’s access to international best practices, the embassies of Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, hosted the eighth annual dialogue on March 18 in Hanoi. This year’s event held special significance as it coincided with Nordic Day on March 23, providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange practical experiences in transparent and effective governance and the use of digital technology in public administration.
The dialogue was attended by Swedish Ambassador Johan Ndisi, Danish Ambassador Nicolai Prytz, Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Solbakken, Finnish Ambassador Keijo Norvanto, and Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Trung Y, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, along with leading experts from Nordic countries and Vietnam.
Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Trung Y emphasized the importance of innovation in a rapidly changing world driven by science, technology, and digital transformation. He affirmed that the dialogue serves as a bridge to strengthen traditional ties between Vietnam and Nordic countries while also fostering knowledge exchange to enhance teaching and research capabilities at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. This is particularly relevant as Vietnam implements the Politburo’s Resolution 57 to accelerate its development in the new era.
Nordic countries-Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland are globally recognized for their transparent and efficient public governance systems and consistently rank among the world’s happiest nations. Their success is attributed to strategic leadership, progressive policies, and the application of digital technology, offering valuable lessons for Vietnam in sustainable development and social welfare.
Finnish Ambassador Keijo Norvanto highlighted that this year’s event underscored the transformative power of innovation and digitalization in shaping the future of public administration. He noted that each Nordic country has established a transparent governance system built on public trust and a robust legal framework. These factors have created an enabling environment that attracts businesses and fosters innovative ideas. Finland, in particular, has developed a flexible management system that has significantly improved public service delivery. The lessons drawn from this model could provide practical benefits for Vietnam.
The dialogue featured three key discussion sessions: Digital transformation in public administration, decentralization and local governance, and regional connectivity in governance. Speakers focused on the role of leadership in building a modern public administration system while highlighting opportunities and challenges in integrating digital technology into state management.
One of the notable topics discussed was the critical role of digital transformation in improving governance efficiency. Experts emphasized that digital technology is not merely a supporting tool but necessitates a fundamental shift in leadership mindset. Nordic experiences demonstrate that well-structured decentralization enables local governments to make timely decisions aligned with the needs of their citizens. Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation is vital in enhancing public administration quality and nurturing creative solutions.
In his closing remarks, Swedish Ambassador Johan Ndisi underscored Vietnam’s significant opportunity to enhance public governance efficiency, particularly as administrative reforms are considered essential to the nation’s sustainable development. He highlighted that the Nordic decentralized governance model, coupled with strong commitments to digital transformation, has driven profound changes in public administration. Insights from this region could support Vietnam’s reform efforts and improve public service quality.
Ambassador Ndisi also shared key takeaways from the dialogue. Firstly, digital transformation is crucial for increasing transparency and efficiency in government operations. However, fully leveraging digital technology requires a comprehensive shift in work culture. Nordic experiences further demonstrate that empowering local governments enables them to respond more effectively to societal challenges. Transparency and public trust form the foundation of good governance. Vietnam’s efforts to enhance accountability will help strengthen trust and drive sustainable development. Lastly, collaboration among government institutions, businesses, and research organizations will be a powerful catalyst for innovation and administrative reforms.
The annual Vietnam-Nordic dialogue is not only a forum for exchanging experiences but also a gateway to practical cooperation opportunities. With a strong commitment to reform, Vietnam can learn from advanced governance models and harness digital technology to build a modern, transparent, and efficient public administration system, contributing to its long-term development goals by 2045.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Nguyen Thu Huyen
Quelle/Source: Scand Asia, 20.03.2025
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