Ho Chi Minh City sees South Korea as key partner in next growth phase

Chairman Duoc congratulated Jung on his appointment, noting that the diplomat had previously spent many years living and working in the southern metropolis as a lawyer.

He expressed confidence that the consul general’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the city would help further strengthen cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and South Korean partners.

The chairman highly valued the strong momentum in Vietnam-South Korea relations, particularly following recent high-level visits by leaders from the two countries.

He highlighted the state visit to South Korea by Party General Secretary To Lam in August 2025 and the visit to Vietnam by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in April 2026, saying both trips had injected fresh momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

According to chairman Duoc, South Korea has long been one of Ho Chi Minh City’s leading economic partners.

The country is currently the city’s second-largest foreign investor, with more than 3,300 valid projects and cumulative registered capital of some US$15.7 billion.

He also underscored that the South Korean community in Ho Chi Minh City plays a key role in the city’s socio-economic development and serves as a bridge promoting friendship between the two sides.

Outlining the city’s development strategy, he said that the new Ho Chi Minh City, which was formed by merging the old city with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces in July last year, now combines three major growth pillars.

They are finance-service, hi-tech industry, and a seaport and logistics network.

The city’s economy is valued at more than $125 billion, accounting for around 23.5 percent of Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

The city aims to maintain double-digit growth between 2026 and 2030 while intensifying efforts to attract investment in hi-tech industries, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green transition, logistics, international finance, and innovation.

The city leader called on the South Korean Consulate General to further promote exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, training, and scientific research.

He also urged both sides to expand people-to-people exchanges and cultural and artistic cooperation to deepen mutual understanding between the citizens of Vietnam and South Korea.

The city is keen to collaborate with the South Korean side to organize cultural, artistic, musical and film-related activities that can further deepen bilateral friendship, he said.

For his part, Consul General Jung expressed his personal affection for Ho Chi Minh City, recalling that he had worked in the city since 2011 as a lawyer.

“My family and I always consider Ho Chi Minh City our second home,” Jung said.

The diplomat praised the achievements in Vietnam-South Korea relations and noted that during President Lee’s visit to Vietnam in April, concerns and recommendations from the South Korean business community and expatriates had been openly discussed with senior leaders of both countries.

Jung expressed his hope that annual meetings between Ho Chi Minh City leaders and South Korean firms would continue, providing opportunities to address challenges and promote investment cooperation.

He stressed that South Korean companies are eager to remain long-term partners of both Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam in achieving sustained double-digit economic growth.

Major South Korean corporations, including Samsung, Lotte, and GS, are actively investing and operating in the city and have shown strong interest in infrastructure and urban development projects, he said.

The consul general proposed the city continue improving its investment climate through greater transparency, enhanced information-sharing mechanisms, and additional conferences and forums that would help South Korean firms stay informed about Vietnam’s policies, legal framework, and development priorities.

Beyond economic cooperation, Jung thanked the municipal administration, particularly the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, for organizing cultural exchange programs that have enabled the South Korean community to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese history and culture.

He cited events such as the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival and other cultural activities as valuable platforms for fostering mutual appreciation.

Concluding the meeting, chairman Duoc reaffirmed the city administration’s commitment to working closely with the South Korean Consulate General to strengthen friendship and practical cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and South Korean localities and partners, contributing to the continued development of the Vietnam-South Korea comprehensive strategic partnership.