VCCI and KCCI Promote Strategic Cooperation in Human Resources, Energy and High Technology

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Sy Hung, President of VCCI, Mr. Kim Hyong Mo, Chief Representative of KCCI in Vietnam, and representatives of SK Group recently convened to discuss new pillars of cooperation between Vietnamese and Korean enterprises in the areas of high technology, energy, and human resource development.

The proposal to launch a Human Resources Development (HRD) Center in the Capital Place building on January 15, 2026, was one of the main topics of discussion. 200 final-year students chosen from prestigious universities like Vietnam National University, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Industry, and the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology will receive intensive training at the center, which will receive an investment of about US$1.2 million, according to KCCI.

The training program will concentrate on core areas, including semiconductor design and automation, with the goal of developing a pool of around 1,000 highly skilled engineers over five years to meet the workforce needs of both Korean and Vietnamese enterprises.

Mr. Kim Hyong Mo said that KCCI has already prepared an operational plan for the project and will soon work with VCCI to seek feedback and support.

Regarding policy dialogue mechanisms, KCCI proposed that VCCI co-chair “Business Roundtable” sessions together with KoCham and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), in order to more effectively reflect foreign enterprises’ difficulties related to taxation, legal frameworks and customs procedures. The aim is not only to address immediate bottlenecks, but also to contribute to building sustainable development strategies in Vietnam.

Mr. Han Michael Won, Chief Representative of SK Group’s Hanoi office, said the group is implementing large-scale LNG power projects in Nghi Son, Thanh Hoa Province and Quynh Lap, Nghe An. At the same time, SK is cooperating with VinUniversity to research the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in electricity demand management in Vietnam.

Notably, SK has also held discussions with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the National Innovation Center (NIC) on small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, a field that has attracted growing interest from Vietnamese regulators. SK representatives affirmed that the group’s leadership places strong emphasis on the Vietnamese market and views it as a long-term strategic destination.

Responding to the proposals from KCCI and SK, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ho Sy Hung expressed his support, stating that VCCI is ready to act as a policy bridge, particularly in priority areas for Vietnam such as AI and semiconductors. He also expressed confidence that cooperation between VCCI and KCCI would deliver tangible outcomes in the near future.

He further suggested linking KCCI’s training model with Vietnamese institutions that already have strong foundations, such as Phenikaa University, which has invested in modern semiconductor laboratories and integrates training with hands-on manufacturing practice.

Regarding LNG projects, Mr. Ho Sy Hung stressed that these are long-term undertakings involving gas pricing and power purchase commitments, requiring close coordination between businesses and the Government. VCCI pledged to work with KCCI to provide objective information and support the policy formulation process.

At the same time, he said VCCI would participate in Business Roundtables in an expert capacity, providing market and policy insights, as well as sharing challenges faced by Korean and Japanese investors. This would help guide multinational groups in formulating long-term and effective investment strategies in Vietnam, especially in priority development sectors.

The VCCI President reaffirmed that VCCI would remain a close partner, expressing the hope that cooperation would go beyond training to include the localisation of actual production processes in Vietnam. This, he said, would enable domestic enterprises to participate more deeply in global value chains, while underscoring VCCI’s long-term commitment to Korea and its determination to continue promoting substantive and sustainable cooperation between the business communities of both countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, KCCI said it is preparing content on human resource training, LNG and AI with a view to signing substantive memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the expected visit to Vietnam by senior Korean leaders in 2026.