Vietnam’s National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn recently met with a delegation from the Korea–Vietnam Friendship Association, headed by Chairman Lee Shin-jae, in Hanoi to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations and foster people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and South Korea. This meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural, educational, and economic ties between the two nations.
During the discussions, Mẫn expressed appreciation for the association’s role in promoting friendship and cooperation, emphasizing the significance of cultural exchanges and educational support in building mutual understanding. He noted that South Korea is a key partner for Vietnam in various sectors, including trade, investment, science and technology, tourism, and education. With South Korea being one of Vietnam’s largest foreign investors, the registered investment has surpassed $100 billion, and bilateral trade figures range from $80 to $90 billion annually.
Tourism was highlighted as a crucial component of the relationship, with Vietnam having welcomed over three million South Korean visitors in the first nine months of the year. South Korea remains a major source of international tourists for Vietnam. Mẫn commended the Korea–Vietnam Friendship Association for initiatives such as scholarships for Vietnamese students, school construction, and humanitarian assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
Chairman Lee Shin-jae reaffirmed the association’s commitment to enhancing the friendship between the two countries, stressing the importance of cooperation beyond governmental levels. He highlighted cultural programs, educational initiatives, and community exchanges as vital elements. Additionally, Lee expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Vietnamese organizations and businesses, particularly in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence, scientific research, and technology transfer.
Both leaders emphasized the need to strengthen trade and investment promotion, facilitate business connectivity, and bolster cooperation in advanced technologies, innovation, and the semiconductor industry. Mẫn encouraged Korean companies to increase their investments in Vietnam and urged Vietnamese businesses to engage more actively in South Korean supply chains.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing on the importance of enhancing tourism, educational opportunities, and cultural exchanges. They also discussed the significance of parliamentary cooperation, with Vietnam’s National Assembly committed to maintaining close engagement with South Korea’s legislature through sharing experiences in lawmaking and parliamentary oversight.