Tran Thanh Man, the Chair of the National Assembly of Vietnam, will officially visit South Korea. As both countries expand cooperation in trade, investment, advanced technology, and human exchanges based on their comprehensive strategic partnership, parliamentary collaboration has come to the forefront.
According to local media including VnExpress on September 4, Tran Thanh Man, along with his wife and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will visit South Korea from September 6 to 9 at the invitation of Speaker Cho Jung-sik. This visit is seen as a significant step in solidifying parliamentary cooperation since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022.
The parliamentary relationship between South Korea and Vietnam has gained momentum through recent high-level exchanges. Former Speaker Woo Won-sik visited Vietnam last year, during which the two national assemblies signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. Both sides have continued exchanges among parliamentary leadership, standing committees, friendship groups, and women and youth lawmakers, discussing legislative experiences and policy implementation measures.
In the economic sector, South Korea has established itself as a key partner for Vietnam. It ranks as Vietnam's second-largest investor, second-largest source of tourists, second-largest provider of official development assistance, and third-largest trading partner. According to Vietnamese government data, trade between the two countries is projected to reach $89.5 billion in 2025, a 9.6% increase from 2024, with trade from January to July of this year expected to hit $70 billion, marking a 41% increase compared to the same period last year.
Investment cooperation is also expanding. As of the end of July this year, South Korea was the largest investor among 154 countries investing in Vietnam. The cumulative registered investment from South Korea in Vietnam stands at $102.6 billion, with 10,567 projects concentrated in manufacturing, advanced technology, electronics, automotive parts, construction, and real estate.
Advanced technology has emerged as a new pillar of cooperation between the two countries. In April 2026, the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and the Ministry of Science and ICT of South Korea held the 10th Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, agreeing to promote collaboration in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technology, and semiconductors, as well as to foster high-level talent and connect innovation ecosystems. South Korea has provided $30 million in grant aid for the establishment of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology, and both sides are currently advancing to the second phase of the project.
Human exchanges also serve as another foundation for the relationship. As of the end of last year, the number of Vietnamese nationals in South Korea was approximately 352,000, an increase of 30,000 compared to the same period in 2024. Among them, over 100,000 are students and workers, and there are about 100,000 multicultural families of Vietnamese and Korean descent. Approximately 200,000 South Koreans reside or conduct business in Vietnam, with around 10,000 South Korean companies operating there.
Cooperation in labor and education continues as well. In June 2023, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the cooperation for the dispatch and acceptance of Vietnamese workers under the employment permit system, which was extended last August. By the end of last year, it was estimated that about 45,000 Vietnamese workers had entered South Korea under the EPS program.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Speaker Cho stated, "This visit will strengthen parliamentary cooperation and the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries." He noted that both nations aim to achieve a trade volume of $150 billion by 2030 and are exploring cooperation in infrastructure, new cities, high-speed rail, nuclear energy, and power grid sectors.
Cho highlighted advanced technology and citizen protection as key areas of collaboration. He emphasized the need for cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, mineral resources, security, defense, and cybersecurity. He also mentioned that the 350,000 Vietnamese in South Korea and 190,000 South Koreans in Vietnam serve as bridges between the two nations, and the parliament will play a role in protecting the rights and supporting the settlement of multicultural families, workers, and students.
This visit is expected to take place as South Korea and Vietnam approach the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, aiming to institutionalize economic, technological, and human exchange cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy. The two countries are likely to continue discussions to expand the scale of existing cooperation while strengthening the legal and institutional framework.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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