CaliToday (09/8/2025): Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will embark on a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from August 10 to 13, in a significant move to bolster the already robust relationship between the two nations.
The announcement was made official in a communiqué released today by Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the statement, the visit comes at the formal invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
This visit is the first to South Korea by Tô Lâm in his capacity as the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam and is expected to set a new direction for bilateral cooperation. The primary stated goal of the diplomatic mission is to "further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" that Vietnam and South Korea established in late 2022, the highest level of cooperation in Vietnam's diplomatic hierarchy.
The agenda for the four-day visit is expected to be comprehensive, covering a wide spectrum of mutual interests, with a strong focus on economics, security, and people-to-people ties.
Economic Cooperation at the Forefront
South Korea is one of the largest foreign investors in Vietnam, with giants like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai operating major manufacturing bases that are critical to global supply chains. The leaders are expected to discuss new ways to expand trade and investment, aiming to enhance supply chain resilience and explore cooperation in high-tech industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and green energy. Facilitating greater access for Vietnamese agricultural products to the Korean market is also likely to be a key point of discussion.
Strengthening Security and People-to-People Links
Beyond trade, the visit will likely address cooperation in defense and security, an increasingly important pillar of the bilateral relationship. Discussions may include maritime security, technology transfer in the defense industry, and coordinating positions on regional security issues.
Furthermore, the significant Vietnamese community in South Korea—comprising workers, students, and residents—makes labor cooperation and citizen protection a crucial topic. The leaders are expected to review and seek to improve the frameworks governing labor and consular affairs.
A Strategic Partnership in a Shifting Global Landscape
Analysts view this high-level visit as a reflection of both countries' strategies to navigate a complex geopolitical environment by strengthening ties with key partners.
"This state visit is a powerful affirmation of the strategic importance both Hanoi and Seoul place on their relationship," said Dr. Kim Ji-yeon, a research fellow at the Seoul Institute for International Affairs. "For Vietnam, it's about solidifying ties with a crucial economic and technological partner. For South Korea, a stronger relationship with Vietnam is central to its Indo-Pacific strategy. We can expect the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that will pave the way for more substantive collaboration."
The state visit is anticipated to conclude with a joint statement outlining a shared vision for the future, further cementing the extensive and multifaceted partnership between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.
