Scene at 16th session of the Joint Economic Committee between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (Photo: VNA)
Seoul(VNA) - The 16th session of the Joint Economic Committee between Vietnam andthe Republic of Korea convened in Seoul on October 24, reviewing outcomes ofbilateral cooperation over the past year and set out new tasks.
The Vietnamese delegationwas led by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong, whilethe RoK delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs YunKang-hyeon.
In their opening speeches,both officials underscored bilateral ties have grown in all fields since thetwo countries set up the diplomatic relations 25 years ago (December 22, 1992).
In addition to bilateral cooperation, the two countries are important partnerswith significant contributions to multilateral forums and cooperationframeworks in the region and in the world.
At the event, the twosides took note of remarkable progress made in economic engagements since theirlast session held in Hanoi on September 22, 2016, despite difficulties anduncertainty across the globe.
They exchangedpoints of views on tackling difficulties and measures to further promotebilateral cooperation in various economic areas, including the participation ofboth nations in regional and multilateral arenas.
They shared acommon view that the Joint Economic Committee has played an important role inpromoting Vietnam - RoK cooperation and should be utilised by both sides tocontinue its contribution.
Delegates talkedabout joint activities across sectors, including trade, labour, officialdevelopment assistance (ODA), consular affairs and justice.
As heard at thefunction, the RoK continued to be a top foreign investor in Vietnam with totalregistered capital amounting to 55.6 billion USD by August 2017. Bilateraltrade hit 43.45 billion USD in 2016 and 39.2 billion USD in the first eightmonths of 2017. Vietnam is one of the RoK’s top priority ODA partners,receiving 300 – 400 million USD per year from the RoK Government. About 50,000 Vietnameselabourers are working in the RoK.
Both sides alsodiscussed measures to reduce the deficit Vietnam recorded in trading with theRoK, to lift barriers for Vietnamese and Korean investors, and to effectivelymake use of the two countries’ human resources.
Both sides notedwith satisfaction about the encouraging outcomes of their joint works inagriculture, science-technology, urban planning, education, culture, andtourism, among other sectors.
They agreed tohold the committee’ next session in Vietnam, whose date and agenda would bedecided through diplomatic channels.-VNA
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung has visited the Republic of Korea to attend a celebration of the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF)’s 30th founding anniversary.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has called on Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to increase the exchange of high-ranking visits and meetings in order to enhance political trust, expand cooperation and deepen their bilateral ties.
A quarter of a century of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the RoK has yielded substantial progress, especially in investment and trade, said Bui Huy Son, head of Vietrade.
A high-level seminar on the reform of public sector, theme of the second-year research between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (KOICA), took place in Hanoi on October 20.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
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.
Scene at 16th session of the Joint Economic Committee between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (Photo: VNA) 
