The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam, and southern Dong Nai City co-organized the "Meet Korea 2026" conference on October 15, according to a report by the Government's online newspaper (chinhphu.vn).
According to Mr. Vo Tan Duc, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Dong Nai currently hosts investments from 51 countries and territories across 2,304 projects, with total registered capital reaching $47.1 billion. South Korea stands as the locality’s largest foreign investor, accounting for 469 active projects valued at over $8.37 billion.5Affirming an administration that stands alongside enterprise, Mr. Duc stressed that Dong Nai will continue enhancing its business environment, heed investor feedback, resolve administrative hurdles within its jurisdiction, and bolster dialogue and coordination to foster mutual growth.
South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Ms. Lee Miyon noted that South Korea ranks as Vietnam’s largest foreign direct investor, its second-largest provider of official development assistance (ODA), and its third-largest bilateral trading partner.
In Dong Nai, South Korean enterprises initiated dynamic investments across manufacturing, components and parts, and logistics shortly after the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1992. South Korean corporate investments in the locality have generated over 170,000 jobs, contributing substantially to local economic growth and broader Vietnam–South Korea economic ties.
Ambassador Lee attributed these achievements to the enduring trust South Korean enterprises place in Dong Nai and their continuous capital expansion, alongside local authorities viewing South Korean companies as vital economic partners and providing active facilitation.
Delivering the opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van urged delegates to focus discussions on leveraging connectivity infrastructure to promote balanced and sustainable trade and investment. He called for encouraging South Korean businesses to commit long-term capital to high technology, supporting industries, and clean energy, while constructing resilient, secure supply chains—particularly in semiconductors, energy, and critical minerals—with deeper participation from Vietnamese enterprises.
Mr. Van also called for stronger tripartite linkages among government, enterprise, and educational institutions to develop high-quality human resources and expand safe, legal, and orderly labor cooperation.
In addition, he emphasized broadening bilateral partnerships in science, technology, innovation, and cultural industries, while accelerating the digital economy, circular economy, tourism, and sustainable agriculture to create fresh growth engines for localities in both countries.
During the conference, delegates engaged in two plenary panel sessions: Elevating the Vietnam–Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: breakthroughs in sustainable trade, investment, and high-quality human resource development in the digital era; and Accelerating science, technology, and cultural industries in digital transformation: fostering green, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
On the sidelines of the event, several Vietnamese localities signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on cooperation with South Korean partners.
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