Opening a new chapter of cooperation between Viet Nam and the RoK

As a political event of great significance, which takes place at a time when Viet Nam has just completed the consolidation of its senior leadership following the 14th National Congress of the CPV, the visit affirms the aspiration and commitment of the two countries to continue working side by side in the coming phase of development.

The visit also marks a new chapter in the journey of nurturing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the RoK, propelling this relationship to grow ever stronger and deeper, for peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world.

Since Viet Nam and the RoK established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1992, generations of leaders and citizens from both countries have steadfastly sown the seeds of friendship and cooperation. Those seeds have sprouted, grown into tall green trees, and borne much sweet fruit. The bilateral relationship is currently at its most advanced stage of development.

The two countries are entering a new phase of progress amid intertwined opportunities and challenges. This is an opportune moment for the leaders of both sides to connect their strategic visions for the new era, shape a long-term cooperation framework, and expand collaboration in areas such as high technology, innovation, and economic security.

Political trust between Viet Nam and the RoK is increasingly consolidated. In recent times, both sides have maintained high-level visits and contacts, as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Leaders of the two countries are determined to transform the good neighbourly friendship and effective cooperation between Viet Nam and the RoK into a solid foundation for both nations to continue advancing on the path of development ahead.

On the basis of a high degree of political trust and the enduring sentiments between the peoples of the two countries, the Viet Nam–RoK relationship has recorded positive progress in recent years.

Among these, economic, trade, and investment cooperation stands out as a highlight. The RoK is Viet Nam’s third largest trading partner. In 2025, two-way trade turnover reached 89.5 billion USD, up 9.6% from 2024. In the first three months of 2026, total import–export turnover between Viet Nam and the RoK reached 26.9 billion USD, up 30% from the same period in 2025.

Building on these achievements, the two countries are discussing specific measures to realise the trade target of 150 billion USD by 2030.

Regarding investment, as of the end of March 2026, the RoK remains Viet Nam’s largest investor, accounting for over 23% of the total number of projects and 18% of total registered foreign direct investment capital in Viet Nam. Investment projects focus on key sectors of Viet Nam’s economy such as processing and manufacturing industries, high technology, electronics, automobiles and auto parts, construction, and real estate.

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Viet Nam continues to encourage investment from RoK businesses, prioritising areas where the RoK has strengths and Viet Nam has needs, such as infrastructure development, high-tech electronics equipment manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, smart cities, and the construction of in-depth industrial production complexes along value chains.

Beyond the economy, the two countries have reaped proud achievements in cooperation in labour, science and technology, and tourism. In particular, the bond between Viet Nam and the RoK is further strengthened by the lasting friendship and mutual understanding between their peoples. Frequent cultural promotion events, exchanges, and tourism activities provide opportunities to further nurture these good sentiments.

In 2025, the RoK was the second largest source of tourists to Viet Nam with 4.3 million visitors, accounting for 21% of total foreign arrivals. The community of approximately 352,000 Vietnamese living and working in the RoK, along with about 100,000 multicultural Vietnamese–Korean families, serves as an important bridge, helping to strengthen the closeness between the two countries.

Welcoming RoK President Lee Jae Myung and his spouse on a State visit to Viet Nam is a strong implementation of the consistent foreign policy of the 14th Party Congress and Politburo’s Resolution No. 34-NQ/TW dated January 9, 2023 on major orientations and guidelines to implement the 13th Party Congress’s foreign policy, which emphasises independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of foreign relations; while clearly demonstrating Viet Nam’s consistent emphasis on its relationship with the RoK in its foreign policy.

May the State visit by RoK President Lee Jae Myung and his spouse be a great success, contributing to enhancing political trust and elevating substantive cooperation between the two countries, creating a solid foundation for Viet Nam and the RoK to continue standing shoulder to shoulder, overcoming challenges, and reaping success in the new era of development.

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