Science and technology cooperation: A strategic pillar to take Vietnam - Korea relations to new heights

Affirming that science and technology (S&T) cooperation is identified as an important pillar to elevate the Vietnam-Korea bilateral relationship in the coming time, General Secretary To Lam believes that the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will develop increasingly substantively and effectively, bringing comprehensive and sustainable benefits to the two countries.

Within the framework of the State visit to Korea, on August 12, 2025, in Seoul, the Ministry of Science and Technology , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Vietnam in Korea in coordination with the Ministry of Science, Information and Communications of Korea organized a Vietnam - Korea Science and Technology Dialogue. Attending the Dialogue were General Secretary To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, along with many scientists, managers and business leaders of the two countries.

This is the first time the two countries have organized a high-level discussion to initiate a framework for close strategic cooperation on three key growth drivers: science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.

General Secretary To Lam and delegates attend the seminar on Vietnam - Korea Science and Technology Cooperation.

Speaking at the seminar, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung said that Vietnam identifies the trio of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as the central driving force to turn the country into a high-income developed country, contributing at least 50% to the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Central Steering Committee on Science and Technology Development, Innovation and Digital Transformation has been established, with General Secretary To Lam as its Head, demonstrating the country's highest determination.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that Vietnam hopes that Korea will share its experience in technology-based development, especially high technology, emerging technology, and core technology; and at the same time, increase technology transfer through research, training and development centers in Vietnam.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that the budget for science and technology, innovation and digital transformation has increased from 1% to 3% per year and is expected to continue to increase. Currently, the laws on high technology and technology transfer are being revised, with strong incentive policies for foreign investors involved in technology transfer activities to Vietnam. The Minister expressed his hope that Korean foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises will spread technology through the establishment of training and research and development centers in our country.

With great aspirations, aiming for a growth rate of over 10% continuously in the next 10 years, Vietnam has revised laws, mechanisms, policies, changed the national administration apparatus and model, to create development, promote startups, attract investment; at the same time, increase investment for development, especially science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Therefore, Vietnam has become a more attractive destination for Korean investors; at the same time, it wishes to cooperate extensively with Korea in emerging technologies such as semiconductors, electronics, telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, new energy, biology, nano, and cybersecurity; build joint research and development programs; promote technology transfer between enterprises, research institutes, and universities; develop research and development centers, train high-tech engineers; learn from the model of developing a startup ecosystem and innovative startups; as well as policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises in technological innovation.

Regarding the development of digital government, digital infrastructure and digital sovereignty, Vietnam wishes to cooperate with Korea in implementing digital government platforms, building national data centers, and cooperating in ensuring cyber security, digital sovereignty and national digital governance capacity.

At the Seminar, Korean delegates shared their experiences in implementing digital transformation in Korea; innovation in Korean SMEs and Korea's strategy. At the same time, representatives of Korean research institutes, universities, and technology enterprises also proposed cooperation with Vietnamese enterprises, universities, and research institutes; cooperation in research and development of rare earth recovery and production technology; technological support for SMEs, etc.

Speaking at the seminar, General Secretary To Lam emphasized the importance of developing science and technology, taking the "miracle of the Han River" as evidence for economic development through science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, and expressed his confidence and suggested that the two countries consider this an important and strategic pillar of cooperation in the Vietnam - Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The General Secretary stated that Vietnam has built a strategy for the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, identifying the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as a key driving force, enhancing national competitiveness, and turning Vietnam into a developed country with high income. Vietnam focuses on policy making, human resource training, financial investment and promoting international cooperation to develop science and technology.

The General Secretary emphasized that Vietnam focuses on investing heavily in education and training high-quality human resources, especially those in new fields such as AI; attracting Vietnamese scientists and experts abroad to contribute to the country's development.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the seminar.

The General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to cooperation with foreign partners such as South Korea to access advanced technology, learn from experience and find "shortcuts" to catch up with the world's development; allocates significant financial resources for scientific and technological research and development to create breakthroughs; encourages connections and cooperation between schools, research institutes, businesses and the state, creating favorable conditions for initiatives and research projects to be put into practice, production and business.

The General Secretary said that the transition from processing cooperation to technology transfer, research and development cooperation is necessary and proposed that Vietnam and Korea take advantage of each side's advantages to develop together, bringing practical benefits to the people of the two countries.

Affirming that science and technology cooperation is identified as an important pillar to elevate the Vietnam-Korea bilateral relationship in the coming time, the General Secretary believes that the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will develop increasingly substantively and effectively, bringing comprehensive and sustainable benefits to the two countries.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/hop-tac-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-tru-cot-chien-luoc-dua-quan-he-viet-nam-han-quoc-len-tam-cao-moi-197250812193945905.htm