At the Temple of Literature, considered Vietnam's first university, Halla-aho and his entourage were briefed on its history of formation and development, and contemplated ancient architectural structures there.

To mark his visit, the Speaker wrote in a golden guestbook and received a book about the temple from a leader of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre.

Constructed under the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225), the temple stands as one of Hanoi's most popular landmarks and a significant symbol of knowledge and education in Vietnam.

 

At the Hoa Lo prison relic, the Finnish leader delved into Vietnam's revolutionary past through valuable documents and artifacts, gaining an insight into the courage and unwavering spirit of Vietnamese revolutionaries.

Also on March 26, the Finnish delegation paid a working visit to Tan Thoi Dai School in Hanoi's Ha Dong district, which is the first primary school in the capital city that has wholly applied the education method of Finland.

The Speaker and his entourage attended the inauguration ceremony of the consular office of the Finnish Embassy in Hanoi.

 

In the morning of the same day, the delegation attended a ceremony marking the completion of Thang Long - Bac Ninh waste-to-energy plant project in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

He then toured the facility and learnt about its operations and waste treatment process which uses Finnish technology, hailing it as a testament to the successful bilateral cooperation in environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the pursuit of a sustainable future.

Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho and his entourage left Hanoi on March 26, concluding their three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

This is the first official visit of the Speaker outside Europe since he took office, demonstrating Vietnam's special position in Finland's foreign policy and the excellent friendly relations between the two legislatures. It was also a high-level exchange activity marking the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Finland diplomatic ties (1973-2023).

During his stay, Halla-aho held talks with NA Chairman Hue and met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai.

The two sides concurred on the need to explore new directions, approaches and impetus to further deepen bilateral relationship. They agreed to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels and across the Party, State and NA channels to enhance political trust while strengthening collaboration at multilateral forums in pursuit of stability, peace and sustainable development. 

Within the framework of multilateral cooperation, they agreed to maintain contact, coordination and mutual support at global and regional parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEP).

They vowed to enhance the monitoring of the effective implementation of international treaties and cooperation agreements signed between the Governments, ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries; as well as facilitate stronger business-to-business and locality-to-locality connections.

The two countries will fully tap the benefits from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), especially in areas of their demand and strengths such as hi-tech, green development, environment, agriculture, forestry and information technology.

On global and regional issues of shared concern, the two sides affirmed their readiness to cooperate bilaterally and at multilateral forums based on respect for international law and the United Nations Charter, for the sake of peace, stability and development in the region and the world, including the East Sea./.VNA