In a bid to bolster bilateral relations, Vietnam’s National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn recently hosted a delegation from the Korea–Vietnam Friendship Association in Hanoi. Led by Chairman Lee Shin-jae, the delegation discussed ways to enhance cooperation and expand people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and South Korea.
During the meeting, Mẫn expressed appreciation for the association’s significant contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. He emphasized the role of cultural exchanges, educational support, and humanitarian activities in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening ties between their populations. Mẫn noted that South Korea is one of Vietnam’s leading partners in various sectors, including trade, investment, science and technology, tourism, and education. With registered investment from South Korea exceeding $100 billion and annual bilateral trade reaching approximately $80–90 billion, the partnership is robust.
Tourism was highlighted as a crucial component of this relationship, with Vietnam welcoming over three million South Korean visitors in the first nine months of the year, marking South Korea as a major source of international tourists. Mẫn praised the Korea–Vietnam Friendship Association for initiatives such as scholarships for Vietnamese students, school construction, cultural programs, and humanitarian aid to communities affected by natural disasters. He also acknowledged their support for Vietnamese citizens living in South Korea.
Chairman Lee Shin-jae reaffirmed the association’s commitment to strengthening ties and emphasized the importance of cooperation beyond governmental relations, particularly through cultural programs and educational exchanges. He expressed interest in expanding collaboration with Vietnamese organizations and businesses, focusing on investment forums and partnerships in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, scientific research, and technology transfer.
Both leaders highlighted the need for enhanced trade and investment promotion, increased business connectivity, and greater cooperation in advanced technologies, innovation, and the semiconductor industry. Mẫn encouraged Korean companies to expand their investments in Vietnam and urged Vietnamese businesses to become more active in South Korean supply chains.
Additionally, the meeting underscored the importance of strengthening parliamentary cooperation. Vietnam’s National Assembly expressed its commitment to maintaining close engagement with South Korea’s legislature through exchanges of experience in lawmaking and parliamentary oversight, reinforcing the already strong bilateral relations between the two countries.