The two countries signed an agreement to the effect on Tuesday.

The signatories were Minister of Planning and Investment Cao Viet Sinh and director general of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Anders Nordstrom.

The Swedish support will also be extended to partners outside the government, including agencies and organizations in the private sector, the embassy said.

After the signing, Nordstorm told Thanh Nien News that Sweden acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts in anti-corruption, such as signing the UN convention against corruption, but emphasized the need to move from the “theory” to “practice.”

“There’s a gap between what I hear and what’s happening,” Nordstrom said.

The SIDA official said he hopes Vietnam would implement changes at the “system” level, for example, improving the healthcare sector to make it more affordable so people won’t resort to underground payments.

Reported by Huong Le-Kap Thanh Long