Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife (photo: VOV)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit is the first official visit of a high-ranking Vietnamese official to the RoK since the two countries established the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December, 2022. It’s an opportunity to further strengthen political trust and enhance strategic cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK, who are leading cooperation partners in the region.

An exemplary cooperative relationship in a complicated world

Since Vietnam and the RoK established diplomatic relations in 1992, bilateral ties have made good progress with important milestones – a Comprehensive Partnership in 2001, a Strategic Partnership in 2009, and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

Despite unpredictable changes around the world, the two countries have become important trading partners with trade turnover of nearly 100 billion USD. The RoK  considers Vietnam a key partner in implementing regional policies like the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI).

Bilateral relations have expanded in all fields, particularly economics and investment. The RoK maintains its position as the No. 1 investor in Vietnam, No. 2 in development cooperation and tourism, and No. 3 in labor cooperation. Vietnam is one of the RoK's three most important trading partners. Both countries hope to raise trade turnover to 150 billion USD by 2030.

The RoK and Vietnam are determined to be inseparable partners in sustainable economic development. Toward this goal, they have continuously strengthened cooperation in economic security, science and technology, digital technology, climate change response, human resource training, and culture.

Assembly line at Sam Sung Vietnam Company in Que Vo Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Human factors create the Vietnam-Korea cultural identity

People-to-people exchanges contribute greatly to Vietnam-Korea cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology, and human resource development. The RoK  and Vietnam have about 200,000 people studying or working in the other country, and there are 90,000 blended Vietnamese-Korean families. Vietnamese workers in  Korea have made significant contributions to the development of local industries.

Human resource exchanges between the two countries have recovered to pre-COVID levels. 4.1 million reciprocal visits were recorded in 2023 and that number is expected to reach 5 million this year.

The Korean government provides comprehensive support services for Vietnamese marriages and immigration to Korea. The RoK has also increased bilingual education and vocational training for children of Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families. Cultural exchanges have created a growing closeness between the two countries.

Shared goal of playing bigger role in the international arena

The RoK has a strategic vision of becoming a "global pillar country". Accordingly, it is trying to contribute more to freedom, peace, and prosperity in the world. Vietnam, with an improving international position, is trying to play a larger role in the international arena. Both countries need to strengthen cooperation on important regional and global issues as comprehensive strategic partners.

The RoK and Vietnam have strengthened cooperation within ASEAN, a key regional cooperation mechanism. Over the last 3 years, Vietnam has played a leading role in strengthening Korea-ASEAN cooperation as the coordinator of the  Korea-ASEAN dialogue. Vietnam always supports the RoK’s efforts to peacefully resolve the DPRK’s nuclear issue. Vietnam and the RoK are playing key roles in responding to the climate crisis with green growth and new opportunities.

Based on a well-developed relationship, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the RoK will open up many new prospects for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.