Vietnam-RoK relations become increasingly important in coming time: expert
Today, Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia and Asia in general hold a more strategic position. With a comprehensive strategic partnership, the bilateral relations become a mutually supportive and mutually beneficial relationship.
Kwon Hyuk Min (C) speaks with a VNA correspondent in the Republic of Korea about Viet Nam–RoK relations. (Photo: VNA)
Seoul (VNA) – Bilateral relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) will become increasingly important in the coming time, said Kꦐwon Hyuk Min, special advisor for international economic policy to the Presidential Election Committee of newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in Seoul on the occasion President Lee took office on June 4, Kwon said that the RoK and Vietnam have had a long-term cooperative relationship on many fronts.
Today, Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia and Asia in general hold a more strategic position. With a comprehensive strategic partnership, the bilateral relations become a mutually supportive and mutually beneficial relationship.
Kwon emphasised the important role of Vietnam as nearly 10,000 Korean enterprises are operating in Vietnam. Now is time for Vietnam's development to also mean the growth and development of the RoK.
The RoK's newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung. (Photo: Yonhap/VNA)
The RoK-Vietnam relationship is now not just simple economic cooperation, Kwon said, noting that it can be described as a relationship of mutual survival. The US's high tariffs are causing great difficulties for businesses. The difficulties that the Korean businesses are facing will also affect Vietnam. Therefore, the government of new President Lee will focus on preparing for the first summit with US President Donald Trump. If the negotiations between the RoK and the US generate results, it means that relations with many other countries will also change.
Kwon said that Korean businesses are looking forward to the results of the high-level negotiations of the new government. He said that the practical policies of the RoK's new government and the "America First" strategy of US President Trump seem to be in harmony. Therefore, there are many opportunities for the two sides to open up through high-level talks.
This year, the RoK will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju city. The country is considering ways to connect with Vietnam not only in the economic field but also special issues that Vietnam is interested in such as nuclear power, or high-speed railways. So, Vietnamese leaders can discuss such issues when attending the APEC meeting, Kwon added./.
Party General Secretary To Lam noted considerable progress in political trust, alongside economic, tourism, and sci-tech collaboration, positioning Vietnam and the RoK as key partners on the back of leaders’ political will and support of their people.
In their messages, Party General Secretary Lam and President Cuong expressed their firm belief that with the prestige, mettle, and strategic vision of President Lee, the RoK will continue to develop strongly, achieve greater accomplishments, and affirming its international role and standing in the coming time.
The discussion provided numerous policy recommendations for Vietnam, including the formation of a strategic industrial development policy driven by an innovation ecosystem.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
