Vietnam seeks role in South Korea’s AI, chip projects

On Monday, during an official visit to South Korea, National Assembly Chairman Man met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook.

Deepening Vietnam-South Korea tech cooperation

Prime Minister Han welcomed Chairman Man, saying his visit would help take bilateral ties to a new level across a range of areas.

She expressed support for closer parliamentary cooperation and said she hoped Vietnam would continue to create favorable conditions for South Korean companies to invest and operate in the country for the long term.

Chairman Man said Vietnam consistently attaches importance to its relations with South Korea and wants bilateral cooperation to become more substantive, effective, and sustainable under their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two leaders spoke positively about the development of bilateral ties and agreed to strengthen political trust and expand practical cooperation in defense, security, and diplomacy.

On trade and investment, the two sides are working toward increasing bilateral trade to US$100 billion in 2026 and $150 billion by 2030 in a more balanced and substantive manner.

They also agreed to step up cooperation in science and technology and create opportunities for Vietnam to take part in major South Korean projects in semiconductors and AI.

Learning from international financial center models

Chairman Man called on the Vietnamese and South Korean governments and parliaments to effectively implement the outcomes of Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s visit to South Korea in August 2025 and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Vietnam in April 2026. 

He also called for greater exchanges of development experience and opportunities for Vietnam to join major South Korean semiconductor and AI projects unveiled in June.

He urged greater exchanges on the management and development of international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, as well as support for training high-tech specialists and expanding opportunities for skilled and seasonal Vietnamese workers in South Korea.

Chairman Man urged South Korea to continue protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the Vietnamese community in the country, including more than 100,000 Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families. 

Vietnam’s National Assembly, meanwhile, pledged its full support for the South Korean community in Vietnam.

The South Korean prime minister said her government would promote cooperation with Vietnam in high technology and AI, while working to protect the rights of Vietnamese citizens in South Korea, improve working conditions and facilitate visa arrangements.

Drawing on its experience hosting APEC 2025, South Korea will also actively support Vietnam in successfully hosting APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc.

The two sides also agreed to continue close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums of common interest.