Through this international seminar, KIEP reviewed the achievements of bilateral cooperation between Korea and Vietnam in the areas of economic cooperation, people-to-people exchange, and cultural cooperation. The seminar discussed strategic directions for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the years ahead.

In his opening remarks (delivered on his behalf by Sungil Kwak, Executive Director of KIEP), President Siwook Lee of KIEP noted that “over the past decade, Korea and Vietnam have deepened their cooperation across various fields—including supply chain linkages, trade diversification, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises—based on the Korea–Vietnam FTA, establishing themselves as key economic partners.” He further emphasized that “both countries share the joint goal of achieving USD 150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, and there is significant potential to expand cooperation into third-country markets amid the ongoing restructuring of global value chains.”

President Lee also highlighted that “cultural and social linkages serve as a foundation for economic cooperation,” observing that “the spread of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) and the growing popularity of Vietnamese cuisine in Korea have enhanced mutual affinity between the peoples of the two countries.” He added that “the gradual reduction in Official Development Assistance (ODA) as Vietnam’s income level rises does not signify a decline in cooperation, but rather an evolution in its form,” stressing that “moving beyond a donor–recipient relationship toward a model of joint contributor cooperation represents the direction Korea and Vietnam should pursue in the next decade.”

Following the opening remarks, Tae Han Kwon, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City, delivered a welcoming address. Nguyen Vu Tung, Professor at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (former Ambassador of Vietnam to the Republic of Korea), and Beon-sun Park, Professor at Korea University, delivered keynote speeches expressing expectations for expanded bilateral cooperation in the future.

The seminar brought together leading experts from both countries, including Sungil Kwak, Executive Director of Ceter for Emerging Economy Studies at KIEP; Kien Chi Vu, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS); Vu Tuan Hung, President of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences; Beon-sun Park, Professor at Korea University; and Hanwoo Lee, Professor at Dankook University. Participants assessed the achievements of the past ten years since the FTA’s entry into force and presented visions for future cooperation.

Session 1, chaired by Sung-il Kwak, focused on “Economic Cooperation.” Panelists included Le Quoc Phuong, former Vice President of the Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Center (VITIC); Young Je Cho, Consul at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea; Le Xuan Sang, Deputy Director of Vietnam Institute of Economics at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Tu Van Binh, Assistant Professor at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City; and Nguyen Truc Van, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, who evaluated the Korea–Vietnam FTA as having played a decisive role in significantly expanding bilateral trade and investment, thereby positioning Vietnam as a key production base and global supply chain hub for Korean companies. They agreed on the need to upgrade the FTA, expand cooperation in the digital and green economy sectors, and strengthen related institutional frameworks to address structural challenges such as supply chain concentration and limitations in technology transfer.

Session 2, moderated by Vice President Kien Chi Vu, focused on “People-to-People Exchange.” Presentations and discussions were led by Yong-hoon Baek, Assistant Professor at Dankook University; Le Tung Lam, Ph.D. at Saigon University; Duong Quynh Thu, Lecturer at Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Jaewan Cheong, Principal Researcher at KIEP; and Nguyen Thi Bao Ha, Researcher at the Southern Institute of Social Sciences. The speakers emphasized that expanded exchanges of youths and professionals, along with the effective utilization of multicultural talent, could serve as new growth engines for bilateral cooperation. In particular, they highlighted the cultivation of science and technology talent, employment support for international students, and the establishment of circular talent exchange systems as key factors for accelerating Vietnam’s industrialization and digital transformation.

Session 3, chaired by Vice Director Vu Tuan Hung of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, focused on “Cultural Exchange.” Panelists included Hanwoo Lee, Professor at Dankook University; Yangsoo Bae, Professor at Busan University of Foreign Studies; Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Assistant Professor at Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Nguyen Thi Hien, Professor at Van Lang University; and Nguyen Thi Truc Bach, Vice President of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, who discussed emerging areas of cooperation such as joint content production that leverages both the similarities and differences of Korean and Vietnamese cultures beyond Hallyu, as well as industry collaboration based on entertainment technology (enter-tech). Participants agreed that trust-building and tailored strategies for different target groups are essential for sustaining receptiveness to Korean culture in Vietnam and for fostering a sustainable ecosystem for cultural cooperation.

- Title: Vietnam-RoK FTA 10th Anniversary

- Topic: A Decade of Shared Prosperity Toward a Sustainable Future

- Date & Time: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 10:00–17:30 (Local Time, Vietnam)

- Venue: Indochina Room, New World Saigon Hotel, Vietnam

- Hosts: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Ho Chi Minh City

- Contact: Haeun Baek, Researcher, Southeast Asia & Oceania Team (hebaek@kiep.go.kr)