Vietnam has publicly emphasized its commitment to expanding cooperation with South Korea in advanced industries, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and semiconductors. Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, requesting significant investments from South Korean companies in AI data centers and Vietnam's participation in South Korean semiconductor and AI projects. On the same day, a high-level Vietnamese delegation visited SK Group's AI infrastructure, indicating a shift in discussions from parliamentary diplomacy to corporate investment and industrial ecosystem development.
On September 8, local reports from VnExpress and others indicated that Tran Thanh Man urged Chung Sye-kyun to encourage South Korean investments in Vietnam. He identified large-scale AI data centers, semiconductors, infrastructure, energy, and ports as priority areas for cooperation, asking for conditions that would allow Vietnamese companies to engage more deeply in the South Korean manufacturing supply chain.
Both Legislatures Prioritize AI and Semiconductor Cooperation
During the meeting, Tran emphasized that Vietnam views South Korea as its top strategic partner. He expressed hope that the bilateral relationship would develop in a practical and sustainable manner across all sectors, mentioning the need for market openness and improved investment environments. Chung noted that Tran's visit would strengthen cooperation between the two legislative bodies, stating, "Korea is ready to join Vietnam in its next stage of development."
The two sides also outlined specific economic cooperation goals, aiming to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion this year and $150 billion by 2030. They agreed on the importance of creating a balanced and sustainable trade structure. Additionally, both countries will continue to prioritize grant and concessional official development assistance for Vietnamese businesses. They discussed improving policies to enable stable long-term investments by companies from both nations, with scientific and technological cooperation as a driving force for their relationship.
Vietnam has also highlighted advanced industry cooperation with the South Korean government. On the same day, Tran met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to strengthen scientific and technological collaboration and to create conditions for Vietnam's participation in major South Korean semiconductor and AI projects. Han remarked that Tran's visit would elevate bilateral relations across various fields, expressing hope that Vietnam would continue to foster a favorable environment for long-term investments and business activities by South Korean companies.
Tran called for effective implementation of the outcomes from the visits of South Korean officials, including the visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in August last year and President Lee Jae-myung's visit to Vietnam in April this year. He requested opportunities for Vietnam to participate in the large-scale semiconductor and AI projects announced by South Korea in June.
Vietnamese Delegation Requests Long-term Investment from SK
The Vietnamese delegation also visited South Korea's AI infrastructure. The day before, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc visited SK Group's AI data center in the Gasan area of Seoul to examine its operational model and technological infrastructure. The Haein GPU Center, visited by the delegation, is a large-scale AI computing infrastructure operated by SK Telecom. Named after Haeinsa Temple, which houses the Tripitaka Koreana, the cluster symbolizes the vast data and wisdom of the AI era.
Deputy Prime Minister Phoc praised SK Group's investment activities and interest in Vietnam, stating, "SK is a company with comprehensive financial, technological, and management capabilities," aligning with Vietnam's selective investment attraction strategy for its new development phase.
He explained that Vietnam prioritizes investments in high-value, knowledge-intensive advanced technologies, energy-efficient green projects, and initiatives that contribute to technology transfer and human resource development. After reviewing the technological infrastructure at the Haein Center, he welcomed SK's plans for a large-scale AI center in Vietnam.
Phoc further urged SK not to limit its efforts to building mere computing infrastructure and data centers but to aim for establishing a regional AI innovation center. He emphasized that this center should encompass research and development, AI technology and application development, advanced talent cultivation, and support for Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.
Additionally, the Vietnamese delegation requested ways to connect cooperation with SK to the domestic industrial ecosystem. Phoc expressed hope that SK would bring technology, experts, and high-value research activities to Vietnam and collaborate with local tech companies, universities, and research institutions. He also wished for Vietnamese businesses and startups to have access to the center's computing infrastructure and technological ecosystem.
Since establishing diplomatic relations on December 22, 1992, Vietnam and South Korea elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022, marking 30 years of diplomatic relations. South Korea is currently Vietnam's second-largest investment partner, second-largest source of tourists, second-largest provider of official development assistance, and ranks third in trade and labor supply.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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