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Vietnam and South Korea strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during a state visit by President Lee Jae Myung from April 21–24, 2026, with both sides aiming to reach 150 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2030.
General Secretary and State President To Lâm and his wife hosted an official reception, a state banquet, and a jointly chaired press conference to announce the results of the talks and witness the signing of 12 cooperation documents between ministries and agencies of the two countries.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man also held meetings with President Lee Jae Myung. The prime minister and the president co-chaired a roundtable discussion and the Vietnam-Korea Economic Forum.
Vietnamese leaders appreciated that President Lee Jae Myung was the first head of state to visit Vietnam after the country completed leadership changes following the Sixteenth National Assembly elections, describing the visit as evidence of a robust, effective, high-trust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
President Lee Jae Myung said he was happy to return to Vietnam and congratulated General Secretary To Lâm on being elected President by the Sixteenth National Assembly. He reaffirmed South Korea as a trusted partner and said Korea is ready to accompany Vietnam’s development goals through 2030 and the vision for 2045.
The two sides agreed to advance strategic economic linkage and to strive to reach the bilateral trade target of 150 billion USD by 2030. They also agreed to enhance cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
During the visit, First Lady Ngô Phương Ly and First Lady Kim Hae Kyung visited the Vietnam National Museum of Anthropology. Mrs. Kim attended the Korea Culture and Tourism Festival 2026 in Hanoi, and the President and his spouse also took part in experiences of Hanoi’s cultural life.
Earlier on the morning of April 24, General Secretary and State President To Lâm and his spouse hosted a Special Friendship Program at the Imperial City of Thang Long, within the context of the April 21–24 state visit. The program highlighted Thang Long’s historic values and culture and conveyed messages about continuity, cultural exchange, and friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and other nations.
The visit was described as opening a new phase of cooperation with long-term strategic directions.
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