HÀ NỘI — More than 100 South Korean companies and hundreds of Vietnamese firms gathered in Hà Nội on April 23 for a large-scale business matchmaking event during the State visit of President Lee Jae Myung, underscoring expanding economic ties across technology, consumer goods and emerging industries.

Organised by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) under the guidance of South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the event brought together firms operating in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), e-mobility, energy and environment, health care and biotechnology and Hallyu consumer goods.

Around 280 Vietnamese companies from Hà Nội, HCM City, Đà Nẵng and nearby localities took part in one-to-one meetings as buyers, resulting in about 650 business matching sessions.

Several memoranda of understanding and trade contracts were signed on site, focusing on consumer goods, functional foods, dairy products and supporting industries.

Vũ Thị Thu, a representative of Faso Việt Nam Co Ltd, said the event provided opportunities to access high-quality products and strengthen links with Korean suppliers, as domestic demand continues to rise.

Alongside business matching, organisers introduced a K-Lifestyle Showcase to diversify market entry strategies.

The programme featured e-commerce livestream sessions run by Lotte Home Shopping in collaboration with local influencers, promoting Korean products directly to Vietnamese consumers.

A K-Market experience zone offering food tastings and household products drew strong visitor interest, highlighting growing demand for Korean consumer goods in Việt Nam.

Moon Jong Beom, head of Kfood International Trading Co Ltd, said the company plans to expand its K-Market chain in Việt Nam, including new premium supermarkets and high-tech distribution systems in both northern and southern regions.

The event comes as Việt Nam–South Korea economic ties continue to deepen. Bilateral trade reached US$94.5 billion in 2025, keeping Việt Nam among South Korea’s top three trading partners. South Korea also remains the largest foreign investor in Việt Nam, with nearly $100 billion in cumulative investment.

KOTRA Chairman Kang Kyung-sung said the strong turnout and deal-making reflected significant potential for further cooperation, particularly in high-tech industries and consumer markets.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting businesses from both countries in expanding trade and investment, contributing to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Việt Nam and South Korea. — BIZHUB/VNS