FM outlines Vietnam’s vision for sustainable development and partnership with Korea
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highlighted Vietnam’s growth, international cooperation and strategic diplomacy commitments during an interview granted to major media agencies of the Republic of Korea on the occasion of Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to the RoK.
A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Party General Secretary To Lam is paying a state visit to the RoK from August 10 – 13 at the invitation of President Lee Jae-myung. This is the General Secretary’s first trip to the RoK in his new position and the first State visit received by the new Korean administration, reflecting the special importance both countries’ leaders attach to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Son stressed that over the past three decades, Vietnam–RoK relations have become a model of deep and broad cooperation, recording major gains in all fields and contributing positively to regional peace, stability, and development. This visit aims to strengthen political trust, coordinate closely on strategic matters, promote substantive and comprehensive cooperation, deepen people-to-people bonds, and set new priorities and directions for cooperation amid complex global and regional developments.
According to the Foreign Minister, Vietnam has put forward four priority cooperation areas with the RoK, focusing on (1) enhancing high-level exchanges and cooperation in diplomacy, defence, and security; (2) improving cooperation in infrastructure, high technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, smart cities, and integrated industrial complexes in value chains; (3) developing science–technology, innovation, digital transformation, and high-quality human resources as new pillars of cooperation; (and (4) boosting cooperation in cultural industries, tourism, labor, climate change, education, health, and people-to-people exchanges.
On investment, he noted that the RoK currently has over 10,000 valid projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital of US$93.7 billion - a testament to strategic confidence in Vietnam’s investment environment. Both sides have identified ensuring the sustainability of supply chains as a strategic priority amid global geopolitical and trade uncertainties.
Vietnam is committed to accompanying Korean enterprises in developing diverse supply chains and encouraging Vietnamese companies to engage more deeply in high-value segments, he said.
On cultural and people-to-people ties, the chief diplomat said the two countries share many cultural, historical, and community spirit similarities, and have large expatriate communities, with more than 350,000 Vietnamese in the RoK and 250,000 Koreans in Vietnam, including around 100,000 multicultural Vietnamese–Korean families. Vietnam will establish a cultural center in the RoK, increase heritage preservation, artistic exchange, tourism promotion, and support young generations in multicultural families, according to VOV.
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| Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam. |
On the economic strategy, he said Vietnam’s GDP per capita in 2024 was US$4,700, ranking 32nd in the world. As a highly open economy, Vietnam is deeply affected by the increasingly complex and intertwined international landscape, which poses significant challenges to national development.
“However, we see this as an opportunity to strongly innovate our thinking, methods, and development model. To achieve rapid and sustainable growth, we cannot follow the old path, we must dare to think big, act boldly, and carry out major reforms with a new mindset, a new vision, a new spirit, and the strong determination of the entire nation,” he stressed.
The country is streamlining its political apparatus, reforming its legal framework, promoting science–technology and innovation, fostering private sector growth, deepening integration, and diversifying partnerships.
“We firmly believe that these extensive, synchronized, and comprehensive reforms will lay the foundation for Vietnam to continue its success story in the upcoming strategic development phase. We look forward to the Republic of Korea’s continued partnership on this journey,” said the chief diplomat.
On foreign policy, Vietnam remains steadfast in pursuing independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development and in upholding its “four no’s” defence policy to strengthen strategic trust and contribute to regional and global stability. As a result, it has now established strategic partnerships or higher-level relations with all major countries.
“We also place great importance on advancing ties with neighbouring countries, regional partners, other key partners, and traditional friends, in order to foster an open foreign policy landscape and promote equal, mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries. We take pride in these foundations and core values, which have helped build political trust and friendship between Vietnam and its partners and friends,” said the minister.
Regarding institutional reform, he said streamlining government structures has saved resources for social policies such as free tuition from preschool to the end of high school and moving toward universal free healthcare, while expanding development space, forming key economic zones, and building closely linked value chains.
Vietnam aims to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045. He affirmed that Vietnam is determined and will spare no effort to build a country that is “more dignified and beautiful,” as President Ho Chi Minh once wished.
Vietnam seeks stronger ties with Bolivia
Vietnam’s Ambassador to Brazil and Bolivia Bui Van Nghi has led an embassy delegation to attend official events marking the 200th anniversary of Bolivia’s Independence Day.
During the visit, spanning from August 4 to 8, Ambassador Nghi paid a courtesy call on Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce.
He conveyed greetings from State President Luong Cuong and Vietnamese leaders to the State and people of Bolivia on this historic occasion. The ambassador reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations in a practical, effective, and substantive manner.
At a meeting with Bolivia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the diplomat sent congratulatory messages from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on the bicentenary.
Receiving the Vietnamese Ambassador, Bolivian Vice President David Choquehuanca expressed admiration for Vietnam’s historic struggle for independence and its achievements in reform and international integration.
He extended congratulations to Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s August Revolution and National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2025), emphasising Vietnam’s role as a key partner for Bolivia in Asia and in South-South cooperation. He noted that both nations are partners of the BRICS group of emerging economies and highlighted the scope for expanded collaboration.
Vice President Choquehuanca praised ongoing political consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries and regular high-level exchanges, while stressing the untapped potential in bilateral economic and trade ties.
Bolivia expressed readiness to open its mining industry to Vietnamese enterprises and to boost exports of quinoa, soybeans, corn, and raw timber to meet Vietnam’s production, processing, and consumption needs. It is also keen to import Vietnamese motorcycles, electric bicycles, trucks, footwear, clothing, and vehicle tyres.
In response, Ambassador Nghi praised the longstanding friendship between the two nations, nurtured through Party, State, and people-to-people channels.
He expressed Vietnam’s desire to expand exports of key products such as textiles, footwear, rice, seafood, coffee, smartphones, computers, and electronic components to Bolivia, and sought Bolivia’s support for Vietnam’s negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement with the MERCOSUR bloc. He also called for more high-level delegation exchanges and closer cooperation at multilateral forums, cited VNA.
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| Ambassador Bui Van Nghi (L) presents the decision of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on reappointing Miguel Angel Pérez Peña as Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Bolivia. (Photo: VNA) |
At a meeting with Ambassador Nghi, Ignacio Mendoza, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Bolivia, welcomed the positive momentum in Party-to-Party relations, noting that delegation exchanges, theory discussions, and collaboration in international forums have strengthened mutual understanding and trust.
He expressed interest in Vietnam’s foreign policy, reform model, and integration strategy, particularly its success in attracting investment and improving the business environment.
During his visit, Ambassador Nghi also met with representatives of the Bolivian business community and formally presented the reappointment decision to Miguel Angel Pérez as Vietnam’s Honorary Consul in Bolivia.
Vietnam vows to contribute to strengthening ASEAN-Mexico cooperation
Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai has assumed the position of rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Mexico (ACMC), replacing Malaysian Ambassador Jamal Johan.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
In his remarks, Hai congratulated Johan on his outstanding performance during his term as ACMC Chair and affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy will make the utmost efforts to build on the achievements made, contributing effectively to enhancing cooperation between ASEAN and Mexico.
The Vietnamese diplomat highlighted that 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN, underscoring Vietnam’s awareness of its responsibility to take a proactive role and make practical contributions to ASEAN’s common agenda, further advancing the bloc’s mission and promoting its accomplishments, reported VNA.
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| Malaysian Ambassador to Mexico Jamal Johan (left) hands over the ACMC Chairman ribbon to Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Van Hai (Photo: VNA) |
At the meeting, ASEAN Ambassadors and Chargés d’Affaires in Mexico City expressed their confidence that Ambassador Hai will fulfill his role as ACMC Chair effectively, helping to further raise the profile and position of ASEAN countries in Mexico and across the Latin American region.
Delegates also agreed with Ambassador Hai’s proposed ACMC action plan, which focuses on strengthening external activities to bolster intra-ASEAN solidarity as well as relations with Mexico and other Latin American nations.
Earlier the same day, ACMC delegations held a solemn flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN (August 8, 1967 – 2025). This long-standing tradition of ASEAN embassies in Mexico serves to promote ASEAN’s identity, reaffirming the bloc’s commitment to unity and cooperation for the shared aspiration of lasting peace and prosperity among Southeast Asian nations under the ASEAN Community.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Malaysian Ambassador emphasised ASEAN’s growing role and stature. In a world facing volatility, uncertainty, conflict, and division, ASEAN continues to stand as a model of successful regional integration and cooperation. Over the past 58 years, intra-ASEAN collaboration and ASEAN’s engagement with external partners, under ASEAN-led, ASEAN-centered mechanisms, have steadily expanded, contributing to the strengthening of the ASEAN Community and the shared cause of safeguarding and promoting peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
China's Laoling city promotes trade, investment in HCM City
China’s Laoling city, in coordination with VINEXAD, hosted a series of events in Ho Chi Minh City from August 7-9 to seek trade and economic cooperation with Vietnam.
Vo Hong Son, head of the Southern Representative Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, noted that economic and trade ties between Vietnam and China have made remarkable progress in recent years. China is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner, while Vietnam is a leading trade partner of China in ASEAN.
He said Laoling's investment promotion conference is a practical activity to promote bilateral cooperation, demonstrating the city's commitment to expanding trade ties, creating opportunities for enterprises from both sides to connect directly, introduce products, and expand their networks.
Sun Bao Hua, member of the Standing Board of the Laoling Party Committee and head of the Laoling United Front Work Department, highlighted that China and Vietnam are close neighbours with increasingly interconnected supply and production chains.
Laoling is known as the “Northern Gateway of Shandong”. Moreover, it is famed for its red dates, sports manufacturing industry, spice production, and attractive destinations, VNA reported.
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| A conference to promote China's Laoling city is held in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA) |
This is the first time Laoling has organized such a promotion event in Vietnam, aiming to boost business exchanges and cooperation, especially in the food and spice sectors, he said.
At the conference, Laoling enterprises presented their strengths in core industries such as sports equipment, food spices, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, auto parts, and emerging sectors like modern logistics, education and training, culture-tourism-film, and digital economy. To support the spice and food processing industry, Laoling has developed specialised industrial parks and support facilities, including shared laboratories, testing centres, and storage hubs.
A representative of Liang Zhi Long Group said the participation in the promotion conference marked the company’s official first step in its international expansion strategy, with Vietnam as a key starting point.
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