Delegates at a seminar on Vietnam-RoK ties (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam and the RoK share several similarities of geography, history and culture which have brought them closer together. Their relations have been developing steadily bringing practical benefits to the two peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Asia and the world.

The RoK was Vietnam’s first strategic partner among the countries that had formal relations with Vietnam in early 1990s. The RoK has been Vietnam’s top FDI investor, 2nd largest partner in labor cooperation, and among Vietnam’s top ODA providers. The two countries aim to raise bilateral trade to 100 billion USD next year and 150 billion USD by 2030, from 80.6 billion USD in 2021.

At a workshop to review Vietnam-RoK relations in the last 30 years and future orientations, delegates from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the RoK Embassy, and the RoK Diplomacy Academy, said the Vietnam-RoK relationship is a model of relationship between two east Asian countries. The Vietnamese community in South Korea and the Korean community in Vietnam have become important links connecting the two countries.

RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young-ju said Vietnam is at the center of the RoK’s New Southern Policy, a dynamic economy, and a bridge connecting RoK with othe rASEAN countries. The two countries have become close friends who have steadily strengthened political ties and established and expanded mechanisms and channels of dialogue.

Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics speaks at the seminar (Photo: VNA)

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, said their strategic relations based on trust, sustainable economic ties, innovation, and close people-to-people exchanges, have created a bright bilateral relationship.

Mr. Thang said: "Sincere trust is the decisive factor for the two countries' relations to overcome negative impacts and difficulties, and continue to develop steadily in a world of unprecedented rapid changes, uncertainties, instability, reversals, mutations and unpredictable risks. With a new development foundation, the two countries have more favorable conditions than ever to continue to raise their national status, spreading the image of a good and exemplary bilateral relationship in the international community. for the development of each country and for peace, stability, security and development in the region and in the world."