This is the first official visit of a high-ranking Vietnamese leader to the RoK since the two countries elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. It is also the first visit to the RoK by a Vietnamese Prime Minister over the past five years, and the first by Pham Minh Chinh as the Prime Minister of Vietnam.
The visit takes place at a time when peace, cooperation and development are the major trends but the world still faces many challenges, deeply affected by the crises and conflicts, especially those in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.
Competition among major countries is increasingly fierce, while the situation in the East Sea/South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, and inter-Korean relations have seen complicated developments. The Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions continue to be seen as a strategic focus, with dynamic development and a leading position in economic cooperation and integration.
The RoK continues to strengthen its role and position in the international arena, with a vision to become a “global pivotal state”, promoting the implementation of its Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ASEAN-Korea Solidarity Initiative.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam-RoK ties continue to develop substantially, effectively and deeply, especially after the two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022, on the 30th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations.
In political relations, the RoK sees Vietnam as an important partner in its foreign policy, focusing on realising the goals of its Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ASEAN-Korea Solidarity Initiative.
Political trust between the two countries has been increasingly strengthened and exchanges of delegations at all levels have been held regularly. The two countries cooperate closely and support each other in regional and international forums.
Regarding economics, trade and investment, the RoK remains Vietnam's most important economic partner and the largest investor in Vietnam, with 86 billion USD in investment as of April 2024. The Northeast Asian economic power is also the second largest partner in the ODA cooperation of Vietnam, the third largest partner in labour and trade, and the largest source of tourists to Vietnam in 2023.
Bilateral cooperation in other areas, including culture, education, healthcare, people-to-people exchange and local collaboration has been promoted.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the RoK continues to affirm and implement the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress, illustrating that Vietnam values and wants to promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership practically and comprehensively, with high political trust.
As the first high-level foreign activity since the two countries elevated their bilateral relationship, the visit concretises the Action Programme to implement the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership until 2030.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit will focus on intensifying cooperation in traditional fields, such as politics, national defence, security, economy, labour, culture, tourism, people-to-people exchange, science and technology, healthcare, education, local collaboration, as well as emerging areas, such as semi-conductor, supporting industry, digital and green transition, circular economy and climate change.
Vietnam and the RoK continue to strengthen cooperation in regional and international issues and support each other in assuming roles in UN agencies.
Taking place at a time when Vietnam-RoK relations have seen positive development, the visit continues to strengthen political trust and deepen comprehensive cooperation, fuelling motivation and creating the foundation for further, higher and deeper progress in the bilateral ties.
At the same time, the visit conveys a message about the determination of the two countries to increase exchanges and promote cooperation and connection, for peace, prosperity and sustainable development in the region and the world at large.
