On July 16, 2026, a delegation organized by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) continued its working program in the Republic of Korea (the RoK), carrying out a series of activities aimed at strengthening investment and trade cooperation while fostering business connectivity.

Sharing experience to support the development of a free economic zone in Hung Yen province

In Gyeonggi province, the delegation paid a working visit to the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority (GGFEZ). Discussions focused on exchanging experience in the planning, management and development of free economic zones, attracting investment in high-tech industries and logistics, and exploring opportunities for cooperation and knowledge sharing to support Hung Yen province's orientation toward establishing a free economic zone.

Representing Vietnam at the meeting were Le Quang Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Hung Yen provincial People's Committee, along with representatives of VIETRADE, provincial departments and agencies, industrial parks, and Vietnamese enterprises.

The RoK delegation included Kim Neungsik, Head of the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority (GGFEZ); Ye Chang Seop, Head of the Innovation and Growth Division; Bok Dug Gyou, Deputy Director of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Head of Korea Desk; Kim Cheon Gwang, Director of the Planning and Administration Division, together with representatives from relevant professional units.

During the meeting, Kim Neungsik introduced the establishment, management model and development orientation of the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone.

The Vietnamese delegation expressed particular interest in GGFEZ's experience in zoning functional areas based on the comparative advantages of each location, developing high-tech industries and logistics, building synchronized infrastructure, attracting multinational corporations, organizing a professional and efficient management structure, and implementing the special mechanisms and policies underpinning the establishment and operation of a free economic zone.

On behalf of Hung Yen province, Le Quang Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Hung Yen provincial People's Committee, said: "Hung Yen province is located in the Northern Key Economic Region, enjoying favorable connectivity with Hanoi, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh and major transportation corridors. The province covers approximately 2,500 sq. km, has a population of around 3.2 million, possesses a strong industrial foundation, and benefits from an extensive road, inland waterway and maritime transport network that facilitates trade and investment attraction."

Le Quang Hoa added that Hung Yen is currently home to 970 foreign-invested projects with a combined registered capital exceeding USD 18 billion. Among them, the RoK is one of the province's leading investment partners, accounting for 210 projects with total registered capital of approximately USD 2.9 billion. The province is also home to a coastal economic zone covering more than 30,000 ha, which has attracted numerous industrial, logistics, energy and urban development projects, including many successful investments by RoK enterprises.

Building on its existing economic zone, Hung Yen is formulating a proposal to establish a free economic zone covering an estimated 60,000 ha, expanding its development space through land reclamation. The province aims to develop an integrated ecosystem comprising a deep-water seaport, an international airport, high-tech parks, advanced manufacturing facilities, data centers, financial centers, energy hubs and modern urban areas, while studying investment attraction mechanisms and policies aligned with international standards.

Recognizing the similarities in their development orientations, Hung Yen proposed that GGFEZ continue sharing experience in planning functional zones, designing mechanisms to attract and support strategic investors, developing logistics infrastructure and high-tech industries, and organizing the management structure of a free economic zone. The two sides also discussed maintaining professional-level exchanges, organizing study visits and delegation exchanges, and strengthening business connectivity in the coming period.

Reaffirming its role as a bridge between the two sides, VIETRADE pledged to coordinate closely with Hung Yen province and GGFEZ to promote stronger linkages among government agencies, organizations, investors and businesses, thereby helping translate cooperation opportunities into tangible outcomes.

Following the meeting, the delegation conducted a site visit to the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone. The visit provided delegates with first-hand insights into the zone's spatial planning, infrastructure and operational model, offering valuable experience for the research and development of Hung Yen's planned free economic zone.

As part of the program in Gyeonggi, the delegation also explored the Pangyo smart city model in Seongnam city. Through presentations, planning documents and on-site observations, delegates exchanged views on urban spatial planning, integrated infrastructure development, connectivity among urban functions, and the application of technology in urban management and public service delivery. These experiences will serve as valuable references for Hung Yen as it studies the development of modern urban areas in tandem with its free economic zone initiative.

Later that afternoon, at the DMC Tower headquarters of the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) in Seoul, an investment promotion conference for Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park (GREEN I-PARK) in Hung Yen province, together with a Vietnam - RoK business networking event, was held with the participation of leaders of Hung Yen province, representatives of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), Vietnamese trading enterprises and RoK investors.

At the conference, representatives of Hung Yen province presented the province's investment environment, as well as the investment potential and opportunities available at Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park (GREEN I-PARK). The event also served as a platform for RoK enterprises to engage in direct discussions on investment demand, project conditions and implementation prospects. The conference contributed to promoting the province's industrial parks, connecting them with potential investors and fostering concrete cooperation opportunities.

Creating more cooperation opportunities for Vietnam - RoK businesses

According to the working agenda in Seoul, the delegation continued its program by attending the Vietnam - RoK Business Matching Conference, jointly organized by VIETRADE and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) as part of activities marking the 80th anniversary of KITA, at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center.

Attending the event were Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), representatives of Hung Yen province, KITA, and business representatives from Vietnam and the RoK.

Addressing the conference, Vu Ba Phu acknowledged KITA's close coordination in organizing the event and highly appreciated the longstanding cooperation between VIETRADE and the association since the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2001.

"Trade promotion and business matchmaking activities that have been organized regularly in both Vietnam and the RoK have created numerous practical cooperation opportunities for the business communities of the two countries," Phu said.

Against the backdrop of the continuously strengthening Vietnam - RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the conference provided an important platform for businesses from both countries to exchange information, identify potential partners and expand commercial cooperation. The Vietnamese business delegation participating in the event represented sectors including agricultural products, processed food, mechanical engineering, industrial equipment, logistics and investment consultancy.

Following the opening session, business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions were held between Vietnamese enterprises and RoK importers and investors. The sessions helped businesses connect with suitable partners, discuss specific cooperation needs and create new opportunities for trade and investment between Vietnam and the RoK.

The series of activities on July 16, 2026, including the working visit to GGFEZ, the study tour of the Pangyo smart city model in Seongnam City, the business matching conference with KITA, and the investment promotion conference for Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park (GREEN I-PARK) and the Vietnam - RoK business networking event, combined the exchange of experience in developing free economic zones and smart cities with investment and trade promotion activities. These initiatives have further expanded cooperation channels among Hung Yen province, VIETRADE, and organizations and businesses from the RoK.