South Korean President embarks on state visit to Viet Nam
VGP - President of South Korea Lee Jae Myung and his spouse arrived in Ha Noi on Tuesday afternoon, starting a four-day state visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his spouse arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, Ha Noi, April 21, 2026
The Korean leader and his delegation were welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai; Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu; Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang; and Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea Vu Ho.
According to Korean Ambassador to Viet Nam Choi Young Sam, the visit is expected to mark a significant milestone in the 34-year history of bilateral diplomatic relations, serving as a springboard for a new phase of strategic advancement amid shifting global dynamics.
He noted that President Lee's trip represents a pivotal moment in Viet Nam–South Korea relations, opening up fresh opportunities to elevate cooperation to a higher level. As the first foreign head of state to visit Viet Nam following the election of new Vietnamese leadership team in early April 2026, the visit is expected to usher in a new chapter of stable and long-term partnership grounded in strong political trust.
The summit meeting between General Secretary and President To Lam and President Lee is of particular importance, reinforcing the close rapport built during To Lam's visit to South Korea eight months ago. Both leaders are known for their pragmatic leadership styles, with a shared focus on national interests and improving people's livelihoods.
Amid global economic uncertainties and ongoing supply chain adjustments, discussions between the two sides are expected to produce concrete outcomes beyond diplomatic protocol. Viet Nam is stepping up efforts to modernize its economy and promote science, technology, and innovation, aiming to become a developed, high-income country by 2045.
Within this context, South Korea is regarded as one of Viet Nam's key strategic partners. Bilateral economic cooperation is shifting from labor-intensive industries to high-value, future-oriented sectors, with a growing emphasis on strengthening supply chain resilience. South Korea is also well positioned to support Viet Nam's digital transformation and green growth agenda.
The visit is expected to boost cooperation in areas closely linked to economic growth and social development, including major infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail and urban development, as well as collaboration in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy. Korean expertise in nuclear power and smart city development is also seen as highly relevant to Viet Nam's energy security and urbanization needs.
In addition, expanded investment and technology transfer from Korean enterprises in cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and smart logistics will play a key role in advancing Viet Nam's industrial transformation. The synergy between Korean technology and capital and Viet Nam's skilled workforce and dynamic market is expected to generate broader regional and global impact.
People-to-people ties continue to form a strong foundation for the relationship. The growing popularity of Korean culture and language in Viet Nam, along with vibrant expatriate communities in both countries—including over 100,000 multicultural families—has fostered closer bonds between the two nations.
With around five million mutual visits each year, cultural and social exchanges remain a dynamic driver of bilateral relations. This deep mutual understanding and respect helps ensure resilience in the face of external challenges, reinforcing the long-standing partnership.
Built on more than three decades of cooperation and shared experiences through global challenges, the trust between Viet Nam and South Korea has become a key asset for future development.
Ambassador Choi Young Sam expressed confidence that President Lee's visit will mark a historic turning point, ushering in a "golden era" in Viet Nam–South Korea relations. The partnership is expected to contribute to peace, stability, and shared prosperity not only in ASEAN but also on a broader global scale./.
