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On April 23 in Hanoi, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Korean President Lee Jae-myung attended a roundtable on Vietnam–Korea economic, trade, and investment cooperation as part of the Vietnam–Korea Economic Forum. The event brought together ministry leaders and 26 top Korean corporations across energy, technology, manufacturing, finance, infrastructure, and aviation.
President Lee Jae-myung said Vietnam’s development “mirrors Korea’s development” and argued that Vietnam’s future will be “Korea’s future.” He emphasized seeding next-generation high-tech industries and expanding cooperation beyond traditional manufacturing into artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He also called for support for Vietnam’s youth to build success stories using Korean technology in electronics and automotive sectors.
Lee further highlighted the need to establish a foundation for cooperation on supply chains and energy. He stressed robust protections for strategic resources such as crude oil and rare earths to help create a sustainable ecosystem resilient to global economic fluctuations. He also pointed to the deep connection between the two peoples, referencing cultural exchanges during the visit.
Corporate leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing economic cooperation. After the forum, Kim Yong-beom, South Korea’s presidential policy chief, said the state visit confirms the strongest bilateral ties and opens opportunities for Korean firms to participate more deeply in large-scale Vietnamese infrastructure projects, including Ho Chi Minh City’s urban rail.
In a prior meeting with Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, President Lee Jae-myung said the two sides should move to a new phase built on advanced industries, with infrastructure development—including nuclear energy—described as the “right path.” He said the visit is a favorable starting point.
The Korean government pledged to enhance strategic cooperation with Vietnam in nuclear energy, transportation infrastructure, and energy. It also set a balanced target of 150 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2030. The two sides agreed to facilitate greater Vietnamese participation in Korea’s supply chains, support Vietnamese enterprises operating in Korea, and share experiences in financial innovation, regulation, and banking oversight, including engagement with Vietnam’s international financial centers.
The discussions also covered science and technology cooperation, innovation, digital transformation, and ensuring sustainable energy security. The agenda further included expanding human resources, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng expressed gratitude and urged continued Korean support for the Vietnamese community in Korea, including visa facilitation.
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