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The Republic of Korea (RoK) Consulate General in Da Nang, Vietnam, hosted a pivotal conference focused on enhancing ICT investment cooperation between Vietnam and Korea. This event, held in the central coastal city of Da Nang, drew participants including municipal leaders, Vietnamese and Korean businesses, IT experts, and students from universities across the central region.
Consul General Kang Boosung opened the conference by highlighting the strengthened bilateral relationship between the two nations, now a comprehensive strategic partnership. This milestone comes after three decades of diplomatic relations and reflects the active exchange of knowledge and resources. Leaders from both countries have committed to expanding cooperation in technology and science, including through initiatives like the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) and various digital transformation projects.
The conference aimed to provide a broad view of current ICT developments, particularly Korea’s advances in the semiconductor industry, which has garnered substantial interest from Vietnam. It also sought to explore future cooperation opportunities from the perspective of the younger generation.
Consul General Kang expressed a strong desire for increased Korean ICT investments in Vietnam’s central region, anticipating that such ventures would create numerous career opportunities for local students.
Tran Ngoc Thach, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Information and Communications, stressed that Da Nang is emerging as a prime destination for investors, startups, and IT enterprises. The city has long been a leader in IT readiness and digital transformation, and it continues to attract significant investment from key international players like the RoK. Da Nang has prepared dedicated land, infrastructure in IT zones, and high-tech parks to support these investments.
With 37 institutions offering IT training and approximately 6,000 graduates each year, Da Nang is well-positioned to support and benefit from international ICT collaborations.
The conference also addressed the future of Vietnamese-Korean business partnerships, exploring both the potential advantages and the challenges that lie ahead in this dynamic field.
The meeting followed Vietnam’s Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Manh Hung’s visit to South Korea, which was part of efforts to advance Vietnam’s digital ambitions. This visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new opportunities for digital and technological collaboration between the two countries.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung visited South Korea to bolster cooperation in digital transformation and AI, highlighting Vietnam’s dedication to advancing its digital economy. Meetings with South Korean officials focused on enhancing digital innovation and AI research, as well as training in semiconductor technology. Hung’s visit included discussions with ICT agencies, a visit to Seoul Cyber University, and participation in the Vietnam-RoK Digital Forum, which highlighted growing bilateral collaboration.
A survey revealed both nations view IT and semiconductors as key areas for future economic growth, with Korean firms interested in cost reduction and supply chain stability, while Vietnamese companies seek technological advancement and new business opportunities.
This drive for development is reinforced by recent efforts, including the launch of a Korean company’s Innovation Campus earlier this year. This initiative represents the first collaboration between the Vietnam National Innovation Centre and the company’s Vietnam division. The campus is designed to offer advanced training for semiconductor engineers, aligning with Vietnam’s objective of building a strong semiconductor industry by 2030.
The conference underscored the strong commitment of both Vietnam and South Korea to advancing their ICT investment cooperation. By uniting municipal leaders, industry representatives, IT experts, and students from across the central region, the event highlighted the mutual dedication to exploring and expanding collaborative opportunities.
This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening the technological and economic ties between the two nations, paving the way for future advancements and shared success in the ICT sector.