The leaders are expected to discuss practical cooperation across areas including nuclear power, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and energy.
Lee will meet To in Hanoi in the afternoon. An official welcome ceremony is scheduled beforehand at the main garden of the presidential palace in Hanoi.
The schedule includes a small-group meeting, expanded talks, an exchange of memorandums of understanding and a joint press statement. A state banquet is planned after the summit.
It will be Lee’s first meeting with To since August last year, about eight months ago. To also began serving concurrently as Vietnam’s state president in April.
South Korea upgraded ties with Vietnam, its third-largest trading partner, from a “strategic cooperative partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2022, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Following To’s state visit to South Korea in August last year, the two countries agreed to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership.
They also agreed to raise bilateral trade from the current $94.6 billion to $150 billion (about 222 trillion won) by 2030.
During Lee’s visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss more specific steps to deepen ties, including expanded cooperation in nuclear power and infrastructure.
The South Korean government is expected to convey its willingness for mutually beneficial cooperation on major national infrastructure projects in Vietnam, including the Southeast New City development and the new Tra Vinh airport. It also expects that expanding South Korean pharmaceuticals’ access to Vietnam’s import market could boost exports by about 100 billion won a year.
With global uncertainty rising due to the Middle East war and other factors, the two sides are also expected to pursue a mutually beneficial partnership to strengthen energy security and stabilize supply chains for critical minerals.
Vietnam’s role as a hub for the Korean Wave in ASEAN is also expected to grow, supported by the popularity of K-culture in the country.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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