The state visit to Vietnam by President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung and his spouse is expected to open a new phase of development with long-term strategic orientations for bilateral relations between the two countries.

At the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam, and his spouse, President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung and his spouse will pay a state visit to Vietnam from April 21 to 24, 2026.

The visit takes place at a time when Vietnam - Republic of Korea relations are at their most dynamic stage of development to date, contributing to the opening of a new phase with long-term strategic orientations for bilateral ties.

Comprehensive strategic partnership deepens in substance

The traditional friendship and connection between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea have been shaped over many centuries. The bilateral relationship is firmly grounded in shared cultural and historical similarities, complementary economic structures, and, in particular, the strong goodwill and efforts toward the future by the governments and peoples of both countries.

Vietnam and the Republic of Korea officially established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1992. Over the past three decades, bilateral ties have developed into one of the most exemplary partnerships globally.

The two countries issued a Joint Statement on a “21st century comprehensive partnership” in August 2001 during the state visit to the Republic of Korea by President Tran Duc Luong. Bilateral ties were further elevated to a “strategic cooperative partnership” in October 2009, and notably to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in December 2022.

These milestones have established an important framework for advancing cooperation across multiple fields.

Since the upgrade in December 2022, political trust between the two countries has been continuously strengthened. Both sides have maintained effective relations across Party, government, and parliamentary channels, while actively promoting high-level exchanges and contacts.

On the Vietnamese side, recent visits and engagements with the Republic of Korea include those by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (July 2024), Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (June 2024), President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien (August 2025), the state visit to the Republic of Korea by Party General Secretary To Lam (August 2025), the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (October 27, 2025), and at the G20 Summit in South Africa (November 22, 2025), as well as President Luong Cuong’s participation in the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and bilateral activities in the Republic of Korea (October 2025).

Among them, the state visit to the Republic of Korea by the Party General Secretary in August 2025 was of particular significance, helping to further consolidate political trust between the two countries.

The General Secretary was the first foreign guest of state to visit the Republic of Korea following the inauguration of President Lee Jae Myung in June 2025. The visit clearly demonstrated the long-standing development of Vietnam - Republic of Korea relations, nurtured by leaders and people of both countries over more than three decades.

During the visit, the two sides issued a Joint Statement on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership and signed 10 cooperation documents across various sectors.

On the Republic of Korea side, recent visits to Vietnam include those by Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang Woo (March 2025), Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung (March 2025), Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun, who co-chaired the 14th meeting of the Vietnam - Republic of Korea Joint Committee on Industrial, Trade and Energy Cooperation and the 8th meeting of the Joint Committee on the implementation of the Vietnam - Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (April 2025), Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, who paid an official visit and attended the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in Vietnam (April 2025), and Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won Shik (November 2025).

At present, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea maintain a wide range of cooperation mechanisms at various levels, covering both multi-sectoral and specialized fields. The two sides sustain mechanisms such as the Vice Minister-level Strategic Dialogue on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence, the Vice Minister-level Vietnam - Republic of Korea Security Dialogue, and the Vice Minister-level Defence Dialogue.

These frameworks operate effectively and flexibly, addressing emerging issues and practical cooperation needs in specific areas.

At multilateral forums, the two countries closely coordinate and actively contribute to organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), as well as regional mechanisms including Mekong - Republic of Korea cooperation, ASEAN - Republic of Korea cooperation, ASEAN+3, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

Notably, Vietnam played a leading role in strengthening ASEAN - Republic of Korea cooperation as the ASEAN - Republic of Korea dialogue coordinator for the 2021 - 2024 term.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a key pillar

Economic and trade cooperation continues to be a central pillar of bilateral relations and a highlight in Vietnam’s international economic integration. After more than 30 years of exchanges, the two countries have become among each other’s most important partners.

The Republic of Korea is currently Vietnam’s largest foreign investor, second-largest tourism source market, second-largest provider of official development assistance (ODA), third-largest trading partner, and third-largest labour market.

In 2025, bilateral trade turnover reached USD 89.5 billion, up 9.6% compared to 2024. In the first three months of 2026, total import - export turnover between the two countries reached USD 26.9 billion, increasing by 30% year-on-year.

Vietnam mainly exports products produced by foreign direct investment enterprises, including mobile phones and components, computers, electronic products and components.

The Republic of Korea exports machinery, equipment, materials, and production inputs to Vietnam. The two sides are currently discussing concrete measures to implement the “Action Plan to achieve a more balanced bilateral trade target of USD 150 billion by 2030.”

In terms of investment, as of the end of March 2026, the Republic of Korea remains the largest investor in Vietnam among 154 countries and territories, with total registered capital of USD 98.9 billion across 10,447 projects, accounting for over 23% of total projects and 18% of total foreign direct investment in Vietnam. Investment is concentrated in key sectors such as manufacturing and processing, high technology, electronics, automobiles and auto parts, construction, and real estate, with major locations including Bac Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Dong Nai, and Thai Nguyen.

Vietnam encourages Korean enterprises to continue expanding investment in areas where the Republic of Korea has strengths and Vietnam has demand, including infrastructure development, high-tech electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, smart cities, and integrated industrial ecosystems along value chains.

In development cooperation, Vietnam continues to be a top priority recipient of Korean ODA, accounting for around 20% of Korea’s total aid. Total ODA provided by the Republic of Korea to Vietnam over the past five years has exceeded USD 500 million, of which 90% is concessional loans and 10% is non-refundable aid.

The Republic of Korea provides ODA loans through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) under the Korea Eximbank (KEXIM). The two countries signed an agreement on the Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF) worth USD 2 billion in June 2023 to implement infrastructure and urban development projects in Vietnam.

In tourism cooperation, in 2025, the Republic of Korea was Vietnam’s second-largest source of international tourists with 4.3 million arrivals, accounting for 21% of total foreign visitors to Vietnam. This reflects vibrant people-to-people exchanges and a solid foundation of trust and friendship.

The two countries maintain the ministerial-level Joint Committee on Vietnam - Republic of Korea Science and Technology Cooperation. They are actively implementing the second phase of the Vietnam - Republic of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) project.

Major Korean high-tech corporations have also invested in Vietnam’s National Innovation Center (NIC), including SK’s funding and research programmes for Vietnamese enterprises, and Samsung’s establishment of the Samsung Innovation Campus research facility.

Cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity continue to serve as a “soft bridge,” strengthening mutual understanding, trust, and empathy, thereby providing a solid social foundation for long-term bilateral development.

As of the end of 2025, approximately 352,000 Vietnamese citizens were living in the Republic of Korea, an increase of 30,000 compared to 2024, including over 100,000 students and 100,000 workers, and around 100,000 Vietnam - Republic of Korea multicultural families. The remainder are engaged in investment cooperation, family visits, and short-term work.

Conversely, about 200,000 Korean citizens are currently living and conducting business in Vietnam, including around 10,000 enterprises. These people serve as trusted “people-to-people diplomats,” contributing to the growth of bilateral relations.

Beyond key areas, cooperation in defence, security, and other fields continues to be actively promoted, while local-level cooperation has expanded with numerous sister-city partnerships established.

Elevating Vietnam - Republic of Korea relations

The state visit to Vietnam by President Lee Jae Myung and his spouse from April 21 to 24, 2026, holds great significance, taking place when bilateral relations are at their strongest stage of development to date.

The visit comes shortly after Vietnam completed the consolidation of its top leadership following the 14th National Party Congress, making it highly meaningful in opening a new phase of development with long-term strategic orientations for bilateral ties.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Vu Ho, the President’s selection of Vietnam as his first state visit destination carries important political and symbolic significance, reflecting Korea’s strong prioritization of Vietnam and the high level of mutual trust and strategic importance in bilateral relations.

The visit is not only of political and diplomatic significance but also serves to connect strategic visions between the two sides in the new period, helping shape a long-term cooperation framework.

It provides an opportunity for both countries to align development strategies, shifting bilateral relations from breadth to depth, from traditional cooperation to strategic collaboration in high technology, innovation, and economic security.

The essence of the new phase can be summarized as higher trust, deeper cooperation, and stronger connectivity. According to Ambassador Vu Ho, three major priorities will be emphasized during the visit.

First, upgrading economic cooperation toward greater quality, balance, and sustainability, aiming for bilateral trade of USD 100 billion and moving toward USD 150 billion by 2030.

Second, deepening linkages in strategic supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, digital technology, data, batteries, and clean energy.

Third, strengthening the connection between investment, innovation, and human resource training to enhance Vietnam’s position in global value chains while opening new cooperation space for Korean enterprises.

Science and technology cooperation is expected to become a central driver, focusing on joint research and development, technology transfer, and mastery in areas such as AI, semiconductors, energy, and smart infrastructure.