Vietnam and South Korea cultivate a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Delegates perform the national anthem ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking at the ceremony, Central Committee member and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, on behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, extended congratulations to the Government and people of South Korea , the staff of the Embassy, ​​and the Korean community in Vietnam.

The Vice Minister expressed confidence that, with their immense potential and strong determination, the Government and people of South Korea will continue to achieve many accomplishments, realizing President Lee Jae Myung's vision of building South Korea into an "irreplaceable nation," while also making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world .

According to the Deputy Minister, cultural similarities, close ties between the people of the two countries, as well as substantive and strategic interests, have formed an important foundation for Vietnam-Korea relations. The Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the friendship and trust between the two countries will continue to be the foundation for the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to develop even more deeply, substantively, and effectively.

Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long)

In terms of economic cooperation, Vietnam is currently South Korea's largest economic partner in Southeast Asia and its third largest trading partner. Meanwhile, South Korea continues to be Vietnam's largest foreign investor, second largest development and tourism partner, and third largest trade and labor partner.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu stated that the bond between the two countries is not only reflected in economic, trade, and investment figures but is also deeply present in social life. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families, along with the Vietnamese community in Korea and the Korean community in Vietnam, are becoming "bridges of friendship," contributing to strengthening the bond between the people of the two countries.

Looking ahead to the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Korea in 2027, the Deputy Minister noted that the relationship between the two countries is facing new and broader areas of cooperation.

Building upon 800 years of people-to-people exchanges and over three decades of cooperation, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu expressed confidence that, with the political determination of the leaders and the active support of the people of both countries, the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to achieve many new successes, making positive contributions to peace, stability, and prosperous development in the region and the world.

Ambassador-designate of South Korea to Vietnam, Lee Mi Yeon, speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long)

At the ceremony, the Ambassador-designate of South Korea to Vietnam, Lee Mi Yeon, expressed her gratitude to the Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu and all the delegates for attending and congratulating South Korea on its 81st National Day.

Ambassador Lee Mi Yeon emphasized that in 2022, Vietnam and South Korea established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level of cooperation between the two countries. According to the Ambassador, establishing a relationship at this highest level is not the final destination, but rather a foundation for the two countries to continue expanding and deepening bilateral relations, commensurate with the stature of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

Ambassador Lee Mi Yeon reiterated that the State visit to South Korea by General Secretary and President To Lam in August 2025 would be the first State visit by a foreign head of state to South Korea after President Lee Jae Myung took office.

Delegates attending the celebration of the 81st anniversary of South Korea's National Day. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

In response, in April of this year, President Lee Jae Myung paid a state visit to Vietnam, becoming the first foreign head of state to visit Vietnam since the new Vietnamese leadership was established. The ambassador stated that these high-level visits have contributed to elevating Vietnam-Korea relations to a new level.

Referring to people-to-people exchanges, Ambassador Lee Mi Yeon affirmed that "the most valuable thing in the Korea-Vietnam relationship is the connection between people." According to the Ambassador, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries reached approximately 5 million people last year; currently, there are about 350,000 Vietnamese people living in Korea and about 200,000 Koreans residing in Vietnam.

Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, and Ambassador-designate of South Korea to Vietnam Lee Mi Yeon raise a glass to celebrate the excellent relationship between the two countries. (Photo: Thanh Long)

The ambassador also emphasized the role of Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families. With their increasing numbers, Vietnamese-Korean families are becoming "warm rivers," contributing to connecting hearts and strengthening the bond between the people of the two countries.