On the first day of his official visit to South Korea, Vietnam's National Assembly Chair, Tran Thanh Man, highlighted technology cooperation, economic exchange, and the expansion of human networks as key priorities for the future of Korea-Vietnam relations. He met with Vietnamese innovation experts, friendly organizations, and overseas communities in South Korea, stressing the need to enhance collaboration in strategic areas such as AI, semiconductors, and supply chains, and to translate cultural and private exchanges into tangible outcomes.
According to Vietnamese media, including Vietnam News, Tran Thanh Man arrived at Seoul's Seongnam Airport on September 6, leading a high-level Vietnamese delegation at the invitation of National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo. Shortly after his arrival, he met with members of the Vietnamese innovation and expert network in South Korea, emphasizing the importance of strengthening technological capabilities.
This network, established in 2019 under the auspices of the National Innovation Center, has become a key platform connecting experts, intellectuals, scientists, entrepreneurs, and engineers across 15 member networks in 22 countries and regions over the past six years.
During the meeting, Tran expressed his hope that the Vietnamese innovation and expert network in South Korea would play a significant role in expanding Vietnam's knowledge and technological capabilities. He urged participants to share their experiences in technology development, acquisition, and commercialization, and to propose models, systems, and solutions tailored to Vietnam's context.
Attendees voiced the need for Vietnam to focus resources on core strategic technologies with long-term goals. They referenced a decision issued by the Vietnamese Prime Minister outlining ten key technology areas, including AI, semiconductors, robotics, biotechnology, environmental technology, and new energy, and called for the establishment of national programs with five- and ten-year timelines.
They also highlighted the necessity of improving systems that connect research outcomes to the market. A collaborative structure involving the state, universities, research institutions, and businesses was deemed essential, along with changes to funding support and evaluation methods for research and development. Additionally, they noted the importance of accepting scientific risks within manageable limits.
On the same day, Tran met with friendly figures from Vietnam, requesting an expansion of economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. This event was co-hosted by the Vietnam Friendship Association and the Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea, with over 70 representatives from Korean intellectuals, associations, private organizations, businesses, and NGOs active in Vietnam in attendance.
Tran praised the contributions of South Korean NGOs, associations, scientists, and businesses to the achievements of Korea-Vietnam relations over the past 35 years since diplomatic ties were established. He stated, "There is still much potential and opportunity for cooperation between our two countries," urging organizations such as the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association and groups of Koreans who love Vietnam to continue promoting economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
He also emphasized the need for increased attention to the communities of Koreans in Vietnam and Vietnamese in South Korea. Tran called for enhanced cooperation in areas such as science and technology, education and training, healthcare, strategic supply chains, semiconductors, renewable energy, clean energy, digital transformation, and AI. He expressed hope that South Korean scientists and entrepreneurs would continue to seek investment opportunities in large projects in Vietnam.
South Korean officials commended Vietnam's recent achievements, noting that cooperation between the two countries' parliaments serves as a foundation for the development of private exchanges. Lee Shin-jae, president of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association (KOVIFA), emphasized a commitment to actively contribute to bilateral cooperation with a spirit of turning words into practical actions. He stated plans to expand activities beyond traditional cultural and humanitarian exchanges into areas such as AI, infrastructure, and logistics.
Kwon Sung-taek, president of the Korea-Vietnam Economic and Cultural Association (KOVECA), announced intentions to further enhance cultural and youth exchanges. He expressed a commitment to helping future generations of both countries build strong friendships and ensuring that multicultural families, international students, and the Vietnamese community in Korea, as well as the Korean community in Vietnam, serve as strong bridges connecting the two nations.
Additionally, Tran discussed key tasks of parliamentary diplomacy with officials from the Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea and the Vietnamese community. He assessed that relations between the two countries are developing positively in areas such as politics, trade, investment, culture, defense, and security. He added that building technology, enhancing supply chains, and increasing the role of the Vietnamese community in South Korea should be central to parliamentary diplomacy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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