Addressing the event in Gyeongsangbuk province on Thursday, on the sidelines of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the Republic of Korea, President Luong Cuong recalled the centuries-old historical ties between the two nations.

He noted that as early as the 12th–13th centuries, descendants of Vietnam’s Ly royal family settled in and contributed to the development of this land. The statue of Emperor Ly Thai To, founder of Vietnam’s Ly Dynasty in the 11th century, now stands in Bonghwa County, Gyeongsangbuk province. The statue serves as a lasting symbol of the time-honored cultural and historical connection between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

Mr Cuong said, “Entering a new era, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea have tremendous opportunities to elevate their relations to new heights, deeper, broader, and more effective across politics, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.”

President Luong Cuong expressed his belief that Vietnam Day in Gyeongju will open a new chapter in the cooperation between the two countries’ localities. He said: "Gyeongju deserves to be recognized as a ‘City of Friendship,’ a hub for cultural, tourism, and industrial collaboration between Vietnam and Korea’s southeastern region, thereby contributing to friendship and development cooperation between the regions of our two nations."

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong and Gyeongsangbuk Governor Lee Cheol Woo exchanged symbolic gifts, a replica of Vietnam’s Dong Son bronze drum and a replica of Korea’s ancient Silla-era bell.

The two leaders also jointly activated the “Friendship and Future Cooperation” symbol, marking a new step in strengthening local-to-local collaboration between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

The Vietnam Day was jointly organized by Gyeongsangbuk Province, the Korea Saemaul Undong Center, and the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea.