Finland welcomes talents from Vietnam: Finnish gov't official

Why does Finland need to attract more international talent? What are the key criteria for working in Finland?

When it comes to innovation, we can’t really have innovation in Finland without a diverse workforce. Our research and innovation funding is growing significantly, and we need international talents to carry out those projects.

In the big picture, Finns are getting older, so we need new people to move to Finland, not just to work, but to live and help build our society together with those who are already here.

Finland also needs to be part of the global talent competition. In order to grow, internationalize, and develop our companies, we need to help them access the best talents, wherever they may be.

In particular, we expect strong growth in various technology sectors, like IT, semiconductors, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and software engineering. These fields are likely to expand significantly in Finland.

Our government has identified key focus countries for talent attraction. In addition, we are focusing on Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Brazil, and of course Europe.

Why these countries? Because they all have a larger talent pool with the kinds of skills that match the needs of Finland’s labor market. We also see great potential for win-win collaboration, talent mobility can not only support our workforce but also strengthen business ties between our countries.

In general, we can say that Finland needs people who usually speak English or are willing to learn Finnish, which is our national language. High-quality education is also important. For example, in the healthcare sector, many companies offer upskilling and language training, often even before arrival, since knowing the local language is essential for working in healthcare here.

For the tech sector, employers typically require higher education, and English proficiency is key. In fact, many tech companies in Finland operate entirely in English, so you don’t need to speak Finnish before arriving, but you do need to speak English well.

What strengths and values can Vietnamese talents bring to the Finnish labor market? How can Finland support this workforce to improve?

One of the biggest reasons Vietnam is on this list is that we already have a growing number of Vietnamese students coming to Finland every year. Many of them want to stay and build their careers here after graduation. Finnish companies already have experience working with Vietnamese talents, and they’re very well regarded.

Vietnamese workers have a strong reputation: hardworking, committed, and great team members. So that's definitely one of the key reasons. They’re especially appreciated for their strong work ethic and passion for doing their jobs well. That dedication and drive to succeed are highly valued in Finnish companies.

And of course, Finland and Vietnam have a long-standing relationship in other areas as well, so this step also helps deepen that broader cooperation.

Moreover, employers here place a high value on continuous learning, it’s an integral part of the work culture.

Finland offers many English-language master’s programs at universities. These programs are particularly well-suited for people who already have some professional experience and want to take the next step in their careers.

Cities in Finland also play an important role in supporting international talent, especially in retention. Since most international professionals tend to move to bigger cities where job opportunities are concentrated, these cities offer various programs to help new arrivals settle down.

What are the key characteristics of Finland’s working culture? In your opinion, can Vietnamese workers easily adapt to and integrate into life in Finland?

The only thing we've occasionally reflected on is that Finland places a strong emphasis on work-life balance. Sometimes we wonder if people coming from countries like Vietnam, or elsewhere, might see this differently or even worry that in Finland we don't work 'enough.'

But in Finland, we believe that having a balanced life outside of work actually supports your creativity and innovation at work. If you only work and don’t engage in anything else, it can narrow your perspective. So we always try to communicate to newcomers that taking care of yourself, having free time, and enjoying other parts of life is not just encouraged, it’s considered essential for long-term career success here.

This might be surprising at first, especially for people coming from cultures where long working hours are seen as a sign of dedication. But in Finland, what really matters is effectiveness and results, not how long you stay in the office.

That said, I truly believe that Vietnamese talents can absolutely adapt to this kind of work culture.