Vietnam, RoK expand cooperation in AI, energy and strategic industries

HANOI (VNS/ANN) --General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam and President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung met the press in Hanoi on Wednesday, right after witnessing the exchange of cooperation agreements.
General Secretary and State President Lam said the RoK President’s state visit carries significance, taking place when bilateral ties are growing and the two countries are emerging as trusted partners with strategic-level cooperation and close mutual understanding.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (right) and RoK President Lee Jae Myung chaired the press conference on April 22 announcing the outcomes of their official talks.

Both sides held effective and substantive talks, covering domestic developments, bilateral ties, as well as global and regional issues, and agreed on major orientations to lift Vietnam–RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new height.
According to the host, they agreed to bolster political trust and strategic cooperation to a new level at the talks, while making better use of existing mechanisms and agreements. Both sides will expand substantive collaboration in key areas, including diplomacy, national defence, and security, as well as coordinate in addressing non-traditional security issues, and transnational crime.
The two sides underscored a strategic vision on economic connectivity in the new context, committing to facilitating trade and expanding market access for each other’s goods, with the aim of lifting bilateral trade to US$150 billion by 2030. They also pledged to assist Vietnamese firms in joining Korean production and distribution supply chains, contributing to Vietnam’s push for an independent, self-reliant and resilient economy.
Vietnam welcomes new investment and expansion from Korean companies in priority sectors, including smart urban infrastructure, semiconductors, large-scale AI data centres, nuclear power, and next-generation smart port development, he said, adding that the Vietnamese Government will keep improving the investment climate, making it more transparent and business-friendly, while ensuring all possible support for foreign investors, including Korean firms, to do long-term business in Vietnam.
He informed the press that both sides had agreed to continue effectively deploying financing from economic cooperation promotion and development funds, focusing on strategic infrastructure in transport, energy, digital systems and climate resilience.
They reaffirmed their determination to elevate cooperation in sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation into core pillars of bilateral relationship and key drivers of each country’s development goals.
The host leader proposed that the two sides explore the establishment of a Vietnam –RoK artificial intelligence cooperation framework, aimed at expanding AI research and application based on shared computing infrastructure. He also called for stronger collaboration in research and technology transfer, particularly in areas of the RoK’s strength and Vietnam’s pressing demand, including semiconductors, electronics and biotechnology. The RoK will continue supporting the early launch of the second phase of the Vietnam–Korea Institute of Science and Technology project.
The two countries will further expand joint work in culture, education and people-to-people exchanges, laying a solid foundation for long-term, sustainable ties, he said, adding that the RoK pledged to create optimal conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study and work stably in the country.
Vietnam also urged stronger collaboration in workforce upskilling, including support for digital transformation and the application of information technology in education. At the same time, both sides will step up cooperation and knowledge-sharing in developing cultural and entertainment industries globally, particularly in film, music and other cultural sectors.
They agreed to work closely and support each other at global and regional forums, while continuing to effectively launch cooperation within the ASEAN–RoK and Mekong–RoK frameworks to advance security, economic stability and development.
The RoK also expressed readiness to share experience to help Vietnam successfully host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2027.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and agreed on the need to promote lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

(Latest Update April 23, 2026)