The Vietnamese Party Chief’s state visit to RoK takes place at a time when the bilateral relations are at their most flourishing stage to date, particularly since the two countries officially upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2022 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
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Visit to create momentum for Vietnam – RoK relations to enter new development stage (Photo for illustration: tuoitre.vn) |
Political trust has been steadily reinforced, as shown by the active promotion of visits, exchanges, and meetings between top leaders. The two sides have also maintained, strengthened, and deepened cooperation in such channels as Party, Government, parliamentary, and people.
Among the notable achievements, economic, trade, and investment cooperation stands out as a highlight. The RoK is currently Vietnam’s largest investor, with the total registered capital reaching USD 94 billion across 10,203 projects, accounting for 23.5% of total projects and 18.1% of total registered foreign direct investment in Vietnam as of May 2025. The RoK ranks second in development cooperation, pledging USD 4 billion in support through 2030, and third in bilateral trade turnover, which reached USD 81.5 billion in 2024, up 7.3% in compared to 2023. Vietnam, in turn, has 112 investment projects in Korea with total capital of USD 37.4 million. The two countries are actively implementing the “Action Plan to achieve USD 150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 in a more balanced manner.” Korean leadership continues to regard Vietnam as one of its most important strategic development partners.
In recent years, the two nations have vigorously expanded cooperation in defense and security; science-technology, innovation, digital transformation, and environmental protection; labor and human resource development; education, culture, sports, tourism, healthcare, justice, local cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. They have also worked closely and supported each other at regional and international forums.
Built on the solid foundation of friendship and tangible achievements, the visit by General Secretary To Lam reaffirms Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of relations, as well as its pro-active and active approach to comprehensive, intensive, and effective international integration. It underscores Vietnam’s consistent stance of valuing and wishing to elevate cooperation with the RoK to new heights, substantive, effective, comprehensive, and long-term across all fields and at both bilateral and multilateral levels, commensurate with the scope of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The visit also helps spread the image of a Vietnam that continues to renew itself, entering a new era of national rise and seeking the comprehensive, profound, timely, and effective companionship and support from international friends, including the RoK.
That General Secretary To Lam is the first foreign leader to pay a state visit to the RoK under President Lee Jae Myung’s administration reflects Seoul’s strong appreciation and determination to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, just as President Lee himself affirmed.
With many untapped opportunities for cooperation, it is expected that both sides would discuss and agree on measures to further strengthen political trust and boost cooperation in priority areas such as the economy, trade, investment, supply chain diversification, people-to-people exchanges, community support, cultural and artistic exchange, tourism, and the development of new pillars in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and human resource development. They will also seek to enhance coordination and mutual support on multilateral issues at regional and global forums.
Public opinion and the peoples of both countries are following General Secretary To Lam’s visit with optimism and confidence that it will create fresh momentum for Vietnam - RoK relations to enter a new stage of growth, bearing more fruitful outcomes for the prosperity of both nations, and contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
By PAN’s Editorial Board
Translated by Tran Hoai