SEOUL — The Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (RoK) held a conference on November 4 to connect Vietnamese localities and businesses with Korean partners, seeking to open up new opportunities and promote investment cooperation in emerging sectors.

The conference saw the presence of a delegation from Quảng Ninh city led by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Lê Văn Ánh, and a delegation from Bắc Ninh city led by Standing Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Trần Thị Hằng.

The event gathered more than 200 Korean and Vietnamese participants, including representatives of major companies such as Samsung, LH, Hanwha, Lotte and Shinhan Bank, as well as economic associations and organisations like the Business Association of Vietnamese in Korea (BAVIK). It provided a platform for Korean companies to discuss investment needs, the business environment and project implementation directly with representatives of Vietnamese localities.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vũ Hồ said bilateral relations are growing strongly and becoming more substantive under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. Economic, trade and investment cooperation remain key pillars, while collaboration is expanding into new areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, clean energy and innovation.

He stressed that direct connections between Vietnamese localities and Korean businesses will help tap complementary strengths, expand investment opportunities and deliver practical results. The embassy will continue facilitating partnerships, promoting Việt Nam’s investment environment and supporting businesses in turning cooperation opportunities into projects.

Representatives of Quảng Ninh and Bắc Ninh introduced their development orientations, advantages and priority sectors for attracting Korean investment. Quảng Ninh has strengths in the marine economy, tourism, logistics and energy, while Bắc Ninh has developed an industrial base centred on electronics, high technology and foreign-invested enterprises.

Anh highlighted Quảng Ninh’s strategic location, seaports, border gates and transport infrastructure, saying the city hopes to attract Korean investment in renewable and clean energy, green industries, logistics, smart seaports, infrastructure, smart city development and environmental technology. It also encourages investment in high-quality tourism and services, along with sectors with high value added.

Meanwhile, Hằng said Bắc Ninh wishes to attract more high-tech projects, especially in semiconductors, next-generation electronics, AI, supporting industries, research and development, smart manufacturing and automation. It also aims to strengthen links between foreign-invested and domestic firms, promote technology transfer, develop a skilled workforce and elevate local businesses' position in global supply chains.

Chairman of the Korea–Vietnam Economic and Cultural Association (KOVECA) Kwon Sung Taek stressed the need to strongly shift from diplomatic exchanges and activities to promoting direct links between localities and businesses that centre on actual demand and concrete projects.

While Quảng Ninh could strengthen connections with Korean localities that excel in tourism, seaports, and the maritime economy such as Busan, Gangwon, and Jeju, Bắc Ninh holds significant potential for cooperation with industrial hubs like Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong, and North Gyeongsang.

He proposed concrete cooperation projects in high-end tourism, port logistics and smart city development in Quảng Ninh, and semiconductors, electronics, AI, robotics and smart factories in Bắc Ninh. He also called for expanding collaboration in education, high-quality manpower training, student exchanges and cultural activities.

KOVECA affirmed its readiness to serve as a bridge through cooperation committees, business forums, investment promotion activities, and support for business networking, thereby helping to identify and select viable projects for implementation. — VNA/VNS