This is the first official visit of the Finland President to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic ties on January 25, 1973. Tarjia Halonen is also the first foreign leader to visit Vietnam in 2008.Accompany with president Halonen will be high-ranking officials and 20 leading businesses which specialised in information technology, telecommunications, shipbuilding, elevator and lift manufacturing, aviation, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, wood pulp, environment, energy, mine, finance and banking.

As one of the first Western European countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam, Finland often supported Vietnam during the difficult embargo period. Currently, traditional relations between the two countries are developing in all fields of politics, economics, co-operative development, culture, education, and science and technology. The two sides maintain high-ranking exchange visits, including Finish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen to Vietnam in October 2004 and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to Finland in September 2006. However, economic co-operation has not matched its potential. Two-way trade turnover estimated to reach US$190 million in 2007, up 26 percent compared to 2006. Finland is one of traditional ODA donors with a commitment to provide US$31.7 million to Vietnam in 2008. The sum will be used in poverty reduction, sustainable development, water supply and a forestation.

During the visit to Vietnam, President Halonen is scheduled to hold talks with State President Nguyen Minh Triet and meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and Secretary General Nong Duc Manh. She will also attend a trade and investment seminar, a gender equality round-table discussion and a groundbreaking ceremony of waste water treatment factory and visit Pha Rung shipbuilding factory.

The two countries will sign important documents, including the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific Technology Co-operation and a Memorandum of Understanding on Aviation Agreement.