At the invitation of President of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and his wife paid a state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from August 10 to 13, 2025.
During the visit, General Secretary To Lam held talks with President Lee Jae Myung and met with senior leaders of South Korea.
In a friendly, sincere and open atmosphere, the two sides exchanged many opinions and achieved important common perceptions on comprehensively promoting and deepening the Vietnam - Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
General Secretary To Lam and President Lee Jae Myung highly appreciated the remarkable development of bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 and especially after upgrading their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022; affirmed that the two countries are mutually top important partners in all fields.
General Secretary To Lam and President Lee Jae Myung agreed that the achievements over the past 30 years are a solid foundation and a long-term driving force for both sides to consolidate and bring the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into depth, substantially, effectively, and move to a new stage.
In the context of the rapidly changing and complex world situation, in the spirit of looking towards the future for the sustainable development of bilateral relations, General Secretary To Lam and President Lee Jae Myung agreed to continue to deepen cooperation in all fields to ensure the practical interests of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world, focusing on specific areas of cooperation as follows:
FIRMLY CONSOLIDATE POLITICAL BELIEFS AND PROMOTE COOPERATION IN ESSENCE OF DIPLOMACY, DEFENSE AND SECURITY
1. The two sides agreed to further promote visits and exchanges between senior leaders of the two countries through diverse flexible forms such as bilateral visits, meetings at forums, multilateral conferences, online talks, phone calls and letter exchanges.
The two sides reached a common understanding on strengthening and deepening cooperation through the Party, Government, National Assembly, ministries, branches, localities and social classes of the two countries; improving the effectiveness of existing and expanding cooperation mechanisms, establishing necessary dialogue mechanisms, quickly and conveniently handling issues that may arise in bilateral cooperation.
2. The two sides emphasized the need to promptly inform each other about the implementation of cooperation documents between the two countries' senior leaders, including the Action Program for the implementation of the Vietnam - Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thereby continuing to strengthen cooperation between the two sides.
The two sides agreed to effectively maintain cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, security and defense through the Strategic, Security and Defense Dialogue at the Deputy Foreign Minister level; continue to exchange opinions on bilateral cooperation issues, foreign policies, international and regional issues; actively support the representative agencies of the two countries in each country to operate smoothly.
3. The two sides emphasized the need to continue promoting the substantial development of the national defense and security sector; agreed to further promote meetings and talks at the ministerial level, Deputy Minister-level Defense Strategy Dialogue, Deputy Minister-level Security Dialogue, Vietnam - Korea Deputy Minister-level Police Conference; increase delegation exchanges and exchanges at all levels.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, training and coaching; restart the Joint Committee on defense and logistics industry, make efforts to promote cooperation in the fields of technology, defense industry, and security industry through specific projects; strengthen connections between defense enterprises of the two countries.
The two sides also agreed to promote cooperation in bomb and mine clearance activities as well as United Nations peacekeeping activities.
In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in sharing and analyzing information on strategic issues of mutual concern; strengthen cooperation in responding to non-traditional security threats and transnational crimes.
The two sides will increase information exchanges and cooperation in the fields of consulates and justice, including cases of citizens of one country being detained by another; and actively deploy propaganda and dissemination of the laws of the host country to citizens of the two countries to minimize violations of the law.
STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC COOPERATION, TRADE, INVESTMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND COOPERATION TO DEVELOP TO A NEW LEVEL SUITABLE TO THE NEEDS AND BILATERAL INTERESTS
4. The two sides emphasized that Vietnam and South Korea have become mutually top economic partners; agreed to cooperate closely in responding to emerging challenges in the regional and international economic situation.
In particular, the two sides assessed that the Vietnam - Korea Free Trade Agreement (KVFTA) has contributed to building a close economic cooperation relationship between the two countries in all fields such as trade and investment and agreed to continue developing this agreement on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the agreement taking effect in 2025.
In addition, the two sides agreed to facilitate each side's goods entering each other's markets smoothly through policy efforts including the quick implementation of the Agreement on mutual Recognition of Priority Enterprises for Import-Export Safety Management (AEO MRA), and efforts to support Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in the global supply chain of Korean enterprises.
Thereby, the two sides agreed to complete the target of bilateral trade turnover of 150 billion USD by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner. The two sides agreed to promote long-term and strategic cooperation not only in the fields of trade, investment, industry, energy, and technology but also in the field of the supply chain through continuing to expand and develop mechanisms such as the Vietnam - Korea Deputy Prime Minister-level Economic Dialogue, the Vietnam - Korea Intergovernmental Committee, the Vietnam - Korea Joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Energy Cooperation, and the Vietnam - Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) Joint Committee.
The two sides agreed to effectively coordinate the implementation of regional and multilateral economic cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN - Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
5. The two sides agreed to actively encourage Korean enterprises to invest newly and expand investment scale in Vietnam, especially prioritizing the implementation of fields such as building professional industrial parks based on high technology, digital industries such as AI, semiconductors, infrastructure development, renewable energy, smart cities, and global value chains.
The Korean side emphasized that creating a favorable investment environment is essential for sustainable trade and investment expansion, and highly appreciated the progress in resolving difficulties for Korean enterprises investing in Vietnam during General Secretary To Lam's State visit this time.
In particular, the Korean side expressed its gratitude for the significant progress in the licensing process for the two Korean policy banks in recent times and hoped that the remaining procedures would be completed smoothly.
At the same time, the Korean side suggested that the Vietnamese side support Korean enterprises to be able to participate in Vietnam's infrastructure projects. Vietnam affirmed that it will continue to strive to create an open, transparent and stable investment environment so that foreign enterprises, including Korean enterprises, can invest stably and long-term in Vietnam.
The two sides also agreed to support Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Korea, promote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, and, on the other hand, seek solutions such as building a digital cooperation system to promote trade and investment activities between the two countries.
The Korean side expressed its hope that capable Korean enterprises can participate in Vietnam's strategic infrastructure projects such as nuclear power, renewable energy, power grid, and high-speed railway. The Vietnamese side acknowledged the wishes of the South Korean side and the two sides agreed to continue discussing this issue.
6. The two sides positively appreciated the achievements achieved through cooperation between financial and monetary authorities of the two countries, and agreed on efforts in building a common database system for the Vietnamese insurance industry to establish a sustainable and transparent insurance market.
The two sides also shared their awareness of the need to build a relevant cooperation system to discuss and comprehensively implement knowledge sharing projects in the financial sector that have been implemented such as the Project to successfully operate the Vietnamese stock market system and cooperate in implementing bilateral retail payment connection via QR code between the two countries.
7. The two sides considered science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as key areas of cooperation in bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in these areas.
To achieve that goal, the two sides agreed to effectively operate cooperation mechanisms such as the Minister-level Joint Committee on Science and Technology and seek opportunities to expand cooperation and exchange policies.
The two sides agreed to cooperate in implementing joint research, training and human resource exchange in strategic technology fields that both sides are interested in such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, materials and energy, enhancing the capacity and role of the Vietnam - Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) - a cooperation facility between the two countries in the field of science and technology. In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen the connection between the innovation ecosystem and the startup ecosystem between the two countries.
8. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of renewable energy (wind power, solar power, etc.) and improve energy efficiency, while enhancing information exchange in the fields of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.
The two sides also agreed to expand comprehensive cooperation to enhance digital transformation in the energy and cybersecurity industries. The two sides agreed to share information and experience in the field of nuclear power development and encourage effective and substantive cooperation between businesses of the two countries in this field.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of gas, fuel conversion in coal-fired thermal power plants, energy conversion, application of green hydrogen and ammoniac co-burning in thermal power plants, expansion of power grids and development of smart grid.
The two sides agreed to study the possibility of cooperation between the Government and enterprises in the use of important minerals and increase investment promotion to build a supply chain for important minerals. The two sides agreed to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Exploiting Essential Minerals in 2022 and the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing the Korea - Vietnam Important Mineral Supply Chain Center in 2023.
9. The two sides affirmed their determination to continue implementing bilateral cooperation in the field of development cooperation based on agreements such as the Framework Agreement on the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCS) and the Cooperation Agreement on the enhanced Economic Cooperation Fund (EDPF), each worth USD2 billion by 2030.
Vietnam appreciated Korea's implementation of development cooperation (ODA) projects in areas where Vietnam has a need for, and suggested that Korea continue to support large-scale projects such as energy transition, environment, healthcare, green infrastructure and transportation.
The two sides agreed to continue to cooperate closely to quickly and smooth the implementation of development cooperation projects.
PROMOTING LABOR, HEALTH AND EDUCATION COOPERATION WORTHY OF THE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK
10. The two sides agreed to exchange policies and sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of personnel management in the public sector, thereby actively contributing to improving the public administration of the two countries and enhancing the interests and rights of the people.
The two sides appreciated the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries on sending and receiving workers to work in Korea under the Employment Permit Program (EPS) and agreed to cooperate to effectively implement the agreed contents under the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Korea on social insurance.
The Vietnamese side is committed to simplifying procedures and creating favorable conditions for Korean citizens to easily be granted work permits in Vietnam, and at the same time proposing that the Korean side seek support options so that Vietnamese workers can return home after the end of their contracts to continue working at Korean enterprises operating in Vietnam.
The Korean side said it intends to consider expanding the industry and the scale of receiving Vietnamese workers in Korea.
11. The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in the health sector on the basis of effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea and the Ministry of Food and Pharmaceutical Safety of Korea.
The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in transferring high technology and technology in treatment, while strengthening cooperation in the fields of research on the application of biotechnology in vaccine and biological product production, genetic technology, preventive medicine, application of information technology and artificial intelligence (AI), and remote medicine.
The two sides agreed to increase the sharing of experiences and information related to legal regulations and policies in the field of pharmaceutical, medical equipment and cosmetic management, especially seeking cooperation to expand high-quality drug trade, promote bilateral cooperation between medical facilities, universities and medical schools of the two countries.
12. The two sides agreed to further expand educational cooperation, consider cooperation in human resource training in the technology sector and welcome the enhancement of cooperation between Vietnamese higher education institutions and Korean universities and Korean enterprises.
The Vietnamese side hopes that the Korean side will increase support for digital transformation programs and projects, green transformation, and technology application in teaching and learning. In particular, the Vietnamese side suggested that the Korean side increase the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, especially in high-tech fields such as AI and STEM.
The two sides agreed to continue discussing related contents. The two sides agreed to share information about the situation of international students and promote international student exchanges.
The two sides agreed to promote exchanges between general schools and vocational training institutions, and the Korean side agreed to support Vietnam in compiling textbooks in Korean for foreign languages and Korean for foreign languages 1 under the new General Education Program.
STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE
13. The two sides agreed to fully implement bilateral cooperation through organizing the second meeting of the Joint Working Group on the implementation of the Cooperation Framework Agreement on climate change, exchanging policies and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, and exchanging carbon credits to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
The two sides agreed to cooperate closely in the Project on Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, enhancing carbon reserves (REDD+) to enhance the role of forests in responding to climate change, and enhancing cooperation in the forestry sector by implementing forest ecosystem conservation and dry land recovery projects in some areas of Vietnam through the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO).
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of efficient and sustainable water resource use and management through the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Mekong - South Korea Water Resources Center (KOMEC).
The two sides agreed to actively implement cooperation in environmental fields such as joint research, experience sharing and high-tech cooperation, development of waste-to-energy plants, establishment of recycling industrial parks, real-time hydrological data collection, early warning systems, water pollution treatment, biodiversity conservation, and response to natural disasters.
14. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of agriculture in the international economy and sustainable development, and agreed to improve the capacity of workers in the agricultural sector and enhance exchanges and connections with cooperating enterprises to research and share experiences in the agricultural food sector.
The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in high-tech agriculture and smart agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas and methane emissions through experience exchange and research.
The two sides agreed to continue technological assistance and cooperation in the entire production, processing, distribution and consumption of agricultural foods in which both countries have strengths.
15. The two sides agreed to continue implementing existing cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as transport infrastructure development, urban planning and development, housing, real estate, technical infrastructure, industrial parks, smart cities, construction safety management, research on the application of science and technology, cooperation in researching the development of standards and regulations, and at the same time strengthening cooperation to effectively implement agreements, programs and projects.
The two sides agreed to actively support cooperation between agencies and enterprises of the two countries related to transport infrastructure projects, urban areas and industrial parks on the basis of compliance with legal regulations and the needs of both sides.
The Korean side agreed to continue sharing experiences in building policies and state management tools in areas where Korea has strengths such as developing and managing and operating transport infrastructure such as railways, smart transportation systems (TS), airports, smart seaports, building and developing smart cities through short-term and long-term training courses, conferences, forums and regular meetings.
In addition, the Korean side agreed to support human resource training for the transportation and construction sectors, contributing to promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Korea.
DELICIOUS CULTURAL COOPERATION, SPORTS, TOURISM, COMMUNICATION AND PEOPLE'S EXCHANGE TO CREATE MORE DEEPLY COHESION AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
16. The two sides agreed to cooperate to promote exchanges, promotion and communication activities on culture, sports, tourism and the organization of cultural events such as exhibitions, performances, cultural days, and cultural weeks on each other's territories.
The two sides agreed to promote exchanges between cultural and artistic groups and support further expansion of tourism cooperation through strengthening the aviation network as well as simplifying travel procedures for citizens of the two countries.
The Korean side agreed to actively cooperate in improving sports achievements in some of the Korean sports with strengths, sharing with Vietnam experience in developing the entertainment industry and supporting Vietnam in building and implementing a strategy for developing the cultural industry; supporting Vietnam in establishing a Vietnam Cultural Center in Korea.
17. The two sides highly appreciated the positive contributions of the Korean community in Vietnam and the Vietnamese community in Korea to the development of bilateral relations, and agreed to facilitate multicultural families to integrate into the lives of their home country and cooperate to ensure stable residence and enhance welfare for citizens of the two countries.
The two sides also agreed to discuss specific measures related to organizing periodic consultations to share and cooperate policies related to overseas Vietnamese.
The two sides welcomed the expansion of people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between localities of the two countries. The two sides assessed that the reform of Vietnam's local administrative apparatus this year is an opportunity to further expand cooperation between local governments of the two countries, and agreed to coordinate the effective implementation of the annual Meet Korea Program jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, the Korean Embassy in Vietnam and Vietnamese localities to promote exchanges between businesses and people of the two countries.
In addition, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation in the consular field through organizing a Vietnam - Korea Consular Advisory Meeting, actively promoting the role of friendship organizations and people's organizations of the two countries in organizing youth exchange activities and forums on areas of mutual interest.
CLOSELY COOPERATION ON FORUMS, INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL MECHANISMS
18. The two sides agreed to cooperate closely and increase mutual support at forums, international organizations and regions of mutual interest and importance such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC), the Partnership Forum for Green Growth and the 2030 Global Target (P4G), and the Economic Cooperation and Development Organization (OECD).
Vietnam highly appreciated Korea's support for Vietnam in successfully organizing the 2030 Global Green Growth and Target (P4G) Partnership Summit in 2025 and completing the role of co-chair of the ASEAN Program (SEARP) of the OECD for the 2022-2025 term.
The two sides also agreed to successfully coordinate the organization of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Korea in 2025 and in Vietnam in 2027.
19. The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation within the framework of ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation such as ASEAN - South Korea, Mekong - South Korea, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Expanded Defense Ministers' Conference (ADMM+).
The Vietnamese side affirmed its readiness to cooperate closely with the South Korean side to effectively and substantially implement the framework of the ASEAN-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two sides acknowledged the strategic importance of the Mekong sub-region in the shape of the region and agreed to continue promoting Mekong - South Korea cooperation to become a key content in the Vietnam - South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two sides agreed on the importance of resuming the Mekong - South Korean Summit at an appropriate time to realize the vision of building a community with people as the center for peace and prosperity in the region.
20. The two sides affirmed their readiness to actively participate in the common efforts of the international community to address traditional and non-traditional security issues, as well as global challenges such as marine environmental protection, climate change response, energy security, food security and economic security. The two sides also agreed to continue coordinating positions on regional and international issues of mutual concern and common interest.
21. The two sides agreed to strengthen close coordination and mutual support between the two countries' national Assemblies at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), the ASEAN General Assembly (AIPA), and actively support exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' national assemblies, focusing on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
22. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, and respect for international law, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, especially the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
The two sides also emphasized the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and promptly developing a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is effective, substantive, and in accordance with international law, especially the UNCLOS.
23. The two sides agreed that progress in inter-Korean relations and the establishment of long-term peace on the Korean Peninsula are essential for peace and prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula but also for the international community.
The two sides called on all relevant parties to seriously fulfill international obligations and commitments including the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
Vietnam welcomes and supports the efforts of the Korean Government to resume inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, and expresses its willingness to actively participate in the process of building a peaceful, stable and prosperous environment on the Korean Peninsula.
The two sides agreed that the State visit to Korea by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and his wife was a great success, marking an important milestone opening a new chapter in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
General Secretary To Lam expressed his deep gratitude for the warm, affectionate and warm reception of President Lee Jae Myung and the people of Korea, and at the same time, respectfully invited President Lee Jae Myung and his wife to soon have a state visit to Vietnam. President Lee Jae Myung expressed his gratitude and happily accepted.
