Opening new horizons for the future of Viet Nam–RoK Cooperation

According to Ambassador Choi Young Sam, the upcoming visit to Viet Nam by President Lee Jae Myung will mark a significant milestone in the 34-year history of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents a starting point for a strategic leap to elevate bilateral ties to a higher level amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

As the first head of state to pay a state visit to Viet Nam following the country’s completion of its top leadership restructuring in early April 2026, President Lee Jae Myung’s visit is expected to open a bright future for Viet Nam–RoK relations. It will serve as a strong and enduring driving force for the stable and long-term development of the relationship, grounded in firm trust between the two countries’ senior leaders.

The meeting between General Secretary and President To Lam and President Lee Jae Myung carries great significance, further strengthening the close bond and mutual understanding that have been evident since General Secretary To Lam’s visit to the RoK eight months ago. Notably, both leaders are seen as quintessential “pragmatists”, consistently placing national interests and the improvement of the people’s quality of life above formality or symbolism.

At a time when the global economy is facing increasing uncertainty and supply chain restructuring is accelerating, the meeting between the two leaders is expected to go beyond mere diplomacy and deliver concrete and practical cooperation outcomes. Viet Nam is currently dedicating significant resources to modernising the country and advancing science and technology with the goal of becoming a developed and high-income nation by 2045.

On this journey, the RoK is undoubtedly a top-priority partner that Viet Nam can rely on. Bilateral economic cooperation has moved beyond a phase focused on labour-intensive manufacturing to one centred on jointly building future industrial ecosystems and sharing responsibility inensuring global supply chain stability. The RoK stands ready to become Viet Nam’s most steadfast partner in digital transformation and green growth.

Through the visit, the two countries are expected to accelerate cooperation in key areas directly linked to economic growth and social welfare. Discussions are likely to cover large-scale infrastructure development such as high-speed rail and new urban areas, as well as strategic coordination in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy to address climate change and support sustainable growth. In particular, the RoK’s advanced nuclear power technology and experience in smart city operations are expected to provide practical solutions for Viet Nam’s energy security and urban challenges.

Additionally, active investment and technology transfer by Korean enterprises in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and smart ports —pillars of the Fourth Industrial Revolution — will play a crucial role in Viet Nam’s industrial upgrading. The combination of Korean technology and capital with Viet Nam’s high-quality human resources and dynamic growth potential will create a powerful synergy, extending beyond Asia to the global stage.

The strongest foundation underpinning this strategic cooperation is the deep bond between the peoples of the two countries. The growing popularity of the Korean language in Viet Nam, alongside the expanding Vietnamese community in the RoK and the Korean community in Viet Nam, particularly the more than 100,000 Viet Nam–Korea multicultural families, has brought the two nations closer together, almost like one “family”.

People-to-people exchanges, amounting to around five million visits annually, along with vibrant cultural interactions, form an inexhaustible source of vitality for bilateral relations. Profound mutual empathy, built on respect for and understanding of each other’s cultures, is the core foundation that enables Viet Nam–RoK relations to remain resilient in the face of external fluctuations. Time has shown that genuine human connections provide the strongest basis for cooperation between nations. As thesaying goes, “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” while in Korea, it is believed that “After the rain, the ground becomes firmer.”

The trust built over more than three decades of overcoming global crises together has become a valuable asset ushering in a new era and serving as a clear compass for the future.

Ambassador Choi Young Sam expressed his belief that that this state visit by President Lee Jae Myung will be a historic moment, opening a new “golden era” in Viet Nam–RoK relations. The handshake between the two nations —key partners not only within ASEAN but also globally —will become a solid pillar, playing a leading role in promoting peace and shared prosperity in the region and beyond.

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