South Korean President represents official greeting for web-based political party head
RoK-Vietnam Relations Strengthen with Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The relationship between the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Vietnam has reached new heights, with the bilateral partnership now at its highest level – Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This significant development was marked by the recent state visit of Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam to South Korea in August 2025.
During the visit, President Lee Jae Myung of the RoK hosted an official welcome ceremony for General Secretary To Lam, which took place at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea. The ceremony was a testament to the close ties between the two countries, with the military band playing the national anthems of both nations and a 21-cannon salute to show the RoK’s high regard for the visit by the Vietnamese Party leader and his delegation.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 1992 and elevated in 2022, is marked by robust political, economic, and cultural cooperation. The 2025 joint statement emphasized strengthening across all fields and reaffirmed the mutual importance of the two nations as leading partners.
Economically, South Korea is Vietnam’s largest investor, with 10,203 valid projects and a total registered capital of $94 billion in Vietnam. On the other hand, Vietnam has 112 investment projects in the RoK with a total capital of $37.4 million. The focus is on further developing industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and shipbuilding.
Collaboration in various areas such as culture, education, labor, tourism, and others has achieved significant results. In the field of science, technology, and innovation, Vietnam and the RoK have made promising and encouraging outcomes.
The two leaders, Lee Jae Myung and To Lam, reviewed the guard of honor, and during their meeting, they exchanged gifts. The visit is also an important diplomatic activity aimed at promoting the implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 59 on international integration.
The bilateral relationship between the RoK and Vietnam has reached a new pillar in the form of collaboration in the field of science, technology, and innovation. The RoK projects account for 23.5% of all Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects and 18.1% of registered foreign investment in Vietnam.
The relationship between the RoK and Vietnam has been a model of a very special, effective, and substantive partnership since their diplomatic ties were established in 1992. The two countries maintain active exchanges across party, government, and local channels to promote peace, stability, and development in the region. Vietnam also supports South Korea’s efforts toward peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.
The bilateral trade between the RoK and Vietnam reached $81.5 billion in 2024, showing a 7.3% year-on-year increase. Both countries aim to nearly double their bilateral trade from around $86.8 billion to $150 billion by 2030, reinforced by high-level diplomatic engagements like the recent state visit of General Secretary To Lam.
In the context of US-China rivalry, both nations are leveraging their ties to strengthen their economic and military cooperation, including potential expanded arms sales. The RoK-Vietnam relations are characterized by a dynamic, expanding economic partnership backed by strong political commitment to deepen ties, advance industrial cooperation, and sustain regional stability.
- The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Vietnam encompasses a strong emphasis on science, technology, and innovation, further stimulating AI, biotechnology, and semiconductors industries.
- In the domain of education, the RoK is Vietnam's largest investor, providing opportunities for students and scholars in both countries to collaborate and share knowledge.
- As the RoK-Vietnam business relationship flourishes, policy discussions regarding labor, trade, and regional politics become increasingly important to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial exchange.
- To strengthen this partnership, both nations have committed to supporting each other in various areas such as culture, tourism, and innovation, with the aim to achieve sustainable development.
- As the US-China rivalry evolves, the RoK and Vietnam are prioritizing their ties to expand economic and military cooperation, including potential arms sales, to maintain regional stability.
