Vietnam’s National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn recently engaged in discussions with the Korea–Vietnam Friendship Association, led by Chairman Lee Shin-jae, to explore avenues for strengthening the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and South Korea. The meeting, held in Hanoi, focused on enhancing people-to-people exchanges and boosting mutual cooperation in various sectors.
During the talks, Mẫn acknowledged the association’s significant role in fostering friendship and collaboration between the two nations. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges, educational support, and humanitarian initiatives as crucial elements in building mutual understanding and closer ties between the populations of both countries. Mẫn also noted South Korea’s status as a leading partner for Vietnam in trade, investment, science and technology, tourism, and education, with South Korean investments in Vietnam surpassing $100 billion.
The tourism sector was highlighted as a vital component of the relationship, with Vietnam welcoming over three million South Korean tourists in the first nine months of the year. This influx makes South Korea a major source of international visitors to Vietnam, underscoring the significance of tourism cooperation between the two countries.
Chairman Lee Shin-jae expressed the association’s commitment to deepening the friendship beyond governmental relations, focusing on cultural programs, educational initiatives, and community exchanges. He also showed interest in expanding cooperation with Vietnamese organizations and businesses through investment forums and partnerships in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, scientific research, and technology transfer.
Mẫn urged for stronger trade and investment promotion, increased business connectivity, and enhanced cooperation in advanced technologies, innovation, and the semiconductor industry. He encouraged Korean companies to broaden their investments in Vietnam and called on Vietnamese businesses to actively engage in South Korean supply chains.
Both parties agreed on the importance of increasing tourism, educational opportunities, and cultural exchanges while supporting their respective communities living, studying, and working in each other’s countries. They also highlighted the significance of strengthening parliamentary cooperation, with Vietnam’s National Assembly committed to maintaining close engagement with South Korea’s legislature through exchanges of experience in lawmaking and parliamentary oversight.