Vietnam’s National Assembly President, Trần Thanh Mẫn, recently met with Lee Shin-jae, Chairman of the Korea–Vietnam Friendship Association, underscoring efforts to bolster the relationship between Vietnam and South Korea. The meeting, held in Hanoi, focused on enhancing bilateral ties through increased people-to-people exchanges and cooperative initiatives in various sectors.
During the discussions, President Mẫn expressed appreciation for the association’s role in fostering friendship and cooperation. He emphasized the significance of cultural exchanges, educational support, and humanitarian activities in deepening mutual understanding and strengthening bonds between the two nations. Highlighting South Korea as one of Vietnam’s key partners, Mẫn noted that South Korea is a major player in trade, investment, science and technology, tourism, and education. South Korea’s foreign investment in Vietnam has surpassed $100 billion, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $80–90 billion annually.
Tourism also plays a crucial part in the bilateral relationship, with Vietnam welcoming more than three million South Korean visitors in the first nine months of the year. This makes South Korea one of the leading sources of international tourists for Vietnam. The National Assembly President praised the Korea–Vietnam Friendship Association’s initiatives, such as scholarships for Vietnamese students, cultural programs, and humanitarian aid, which have strengthened ties between the communities of the two countries.
Chairman Lee Shin-jae affirmed the association’s dedication to enhancing bilateral friendship. He stressed the importance of cooperation beyond governmental relations, focusing on cultural programs, educational initiatives, and community exchanges. Lee also expressed interest in expanding partnerships with Vietnamese organizations and businesses, particularly in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, scientific research, and technology transfer.
President Mẫn called for increased trade and investment promotion, greater business connectivity, and enhanced collaboration in advanced technologies and the semiconductor industry. He encouraged Korean companies to expand their investments in Vietnam and urged Vietnamese businesses to integrate more actively into South Korean supply chains.
Both parties agreed on the importance of boosting tourism, expanding educational opportunities, and promoting cultural exchanges. They also highlighted the need to support their respective communities living, studying, and working in each other’s countries. The meeting underscored the intention to strengthen parliamentary cooperation, with Vietnam’s National Assembly committed to maintaining close engagement with South Korea’s legislature through experience exchanges in lawmaking and parliamentary oversight.