Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam and Northern European countries exchanged their experiencein sustainable development at a seminar held in Hanoi on March 23 on the occasionof Nordic Day.

The seminarwas co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) andembassies of Northern European countries.

Withoutstanding achievements in economic development, social welfare, environmentalprotection, and cultural preservation and promotion, Northern Europe’ssocio-economic model is valuable for other countries worldwide, includingVietnam, to follow, according to Associate Professor, Dr Duong Trung Y, DeputyDirector of the HCMA.

Hanoiand major cities in Vietnam could learn from the experience in urban areamanagement and development of cities in Northern Europe, he suggested.

Onbehalf of ambassadors of Northern European countries to Vietnam, SwedishAmbassador Ann Mawe said they are proud to be longstandingfriends with Vietnam and to help the country in poverty reduction and sustainabledevelopment.

In regard to Vietnam’s socio-economic growth, the ambassador said theprocess should be focused on the shift towards greener and more sustainabledevelopment.

Economic security should be in parallel with social and environmentalsecurity, she emphasised.

Northern European countries stand ready to share their knowledge andexperience in urbanisation, climate change, and environment, she said, adding thatshe hopes this experience will be useful for Vietnam.

Delegates at the seminar also looked at innovation-based economicdevelopment in Vietnam, which they said requires the country quickly completean institutional system./.