Vietnam and South Korea strengthen ties in trade, tech, and green investment
Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties across multiple sectors. During a recent meeting, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung and his Korean counterpart Cho Hyun explored ways to boost cooperation in trade, investment, and technology. Both sides emphasised the importance of political trust and economic collaboration for future growth.
The talks began with Minister Trung updating Cho on Vietnam's progress following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party. He outlined the country's ambitious goal of becoming a developed, high-income nation by 2045. Economic transformation, driven by science, technology, and digital innovation, remains a top priority.
Both ministers agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, particularly in high-tech industries, renewable energy, and smart cities. They also discussed easing Vietnamese exports into the Korean market while encouraging RoK firms to invest in environmentally friendly sectors. Trade and investment were highlighted as key areas for expansion, with South Korea already contributing $1.34 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in early 2026—nearly 38% of newly registered capital. Beyond trade, the two nations plan to broaden collaboration in culture, tourism, and labour exchanges. Local partnerships between Vietnamese and Korean regions will also be promoted. In science and technology, they will advance the second phase of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) project. Minister Cho affirmed his commitment to working closely with Trung to implement existing cooperation frameworks. This includes annual dialogues between foreign ministries and wider bilateral initiatives.
The discussions signal a push for stronger Vietnam-RoK relations in both economic and non-economic fields. With plans to expand trade, technology, and local exchanges, the partnership aims to support Vietnam's long-term development goals. International investment and innovation will continue playing a vital role in this process.
