Vietnamese and South Korean policymakers and scholars gathered in Hanoi to discuss new strategies for strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The seventh Vietnam-South Korea Future Forum was held in Hanoi on June 30, jointly organized by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the Korea Foundation (KF).
Held under the theme "The Vietnam-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a New Era," the forum served as an important academic and diplomatic platform to review the achievements of bilateral cooperation while proposing policy recommendations and strategic directions to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the next stage of development.
Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, delivers the opening remarks. Photo: Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
Among the Vietnamese participants were Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, full-time National Assembly member Tran Thi Hong An from the National Assembly's Committee for National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs, along with representatives from ministries, government agencies, research institutions and universities.
International participants included Prof. Song Guido, President of the Korea Foundation; Ambassador Choi Young Sam, South Korea's Ambassador to Vietnam; National Assembly member Mun Jinseog, Chairman of the Korea-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group; and other delegates.
Speaking at the opening session, Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized that more than three decades after the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, and particularly since the two countries upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022, Vietnam-South Korea relations have developed rapidly, comprehensively and effectively, becoming one of Vietnam's most successful bilateral partnerships.
According to Thanh, amid increasingly complex regional and global developments, bilateral relations are entering a period marked by both significant opportunities and new challenges. He described this as a "new era" requiring fresh strategic thinking, a long-term vision and more substantive actions that reflect the full potential of both countries.
Thanh noted that political trust between the two countries continues to strengthen through regular high-level exchanges. In particular, the state visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Vietnam in April and his talks with Party General Secretary and State President To Lam opened unprecedented opportunities for cooperation. The two leaders affirmed that Vietnam and South Korea are no longer merely investment partners but have become companions in shaping a shared future aimed at sustainable prosperity.
He also highlighted that after six successful editions, the forum has become a respected academic dialogue mechanism bringing together policymakers, scholars and experts from both countries to discuss strategic issues, enhance mutual understanding, strengthen cooperation and support policymaking.
Prof. Song Guido, President of the Korea Foundation, addresses the forum. Photo: Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
At this year's forum, participants focused discussions on the evolving strategic environment surrounding Vietnam-South Korea relations, socio-economic cooperation, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, sustainable development, and the drafting of the Hanoi Message 2026, a document expected to provide strategic recommendations and policy directions for advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming years.
Speaking at the forum, Prof. Song Guido, President of the Korea Foundation, said that following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnam-South Korea cooperation has entered a deeper and more substantive phase. Cooperation now extends beyond trade and investment into high technology, energy, supply chains, human resource development and future industries.
Song expressed confidence that the forum's discussions would help identify new areas of cooperation and provide a stronger foundation for the continued comprehensive development of bilateral relations.
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said that the strongest common foundation between Vietnam and South Korea is that neither country achieved development through abundant land or natural resources, but through ambition, determination, innovation and resilience in responding to changing circumstances. These shared values, he said, will continue to drive both countries toward new opportunities for cooperation.
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu speaks at the forum. Photo: Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
Vu stressed that as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership enters a new phase, experts and scholars should focus on assessing the strategic environment shaping bilateral relations over the coming years while promoting cooperation in trade, infrastructure, industry, supply chains, energy, economic security, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and the development of a bilateral AI ecosystem.
South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam said bilateral relations are entering a new stage with expanding opportunities for cooperation. Against the backdrop of changing geopolitical and economic conditions, he said, both countries should continue strengthening traditional areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in strategic technologies including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital transformation, logistics, energy and infrastructure.
South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam delivers remarks. Photo: Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
The ambassador expressed confidence that the outcomes of the forum would be reflected in the Hanoi Message 2026, providing valuable recommendations for policymakers in both countries and helping shape the future direction of the Vietnam-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Five priority solutions proposed for the next stage of cooperation
Following the opening session, the forum continued with discussions on the new strategic environment for Vietnam-South Korea relations, bilateral socio-economic cooperation under changing circumstances, and collaboration in science, technology and innovation.
A key highlight was the presentation and discussion of the draft Hanoi Message 2026.
The draft proposes five priority areas to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the next phase of development.
The first calls for stronger strategic consensus and pragmatic, multi-layered, balanced and proactive diplomacy through flexible policy dialogue while enhancing the role of both countries as middle powers.
The second recommends upgrading the investment model by moving from contract manufacturing toward co-creation, reforming FDI attraction criteria, strengthening domestic supply chain linkages and establishing joint research and development centers.
Prof. Le Van Loi, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Vice Chairman of the Central Theory Council and Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Policy and Strategy, delivers the closing remarks. Photo: Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
The third seeks to narrow the "implementation gap" in green cooperation and non-traditional security by improving Vietnam's legal framework, creating independent monitoring mechanisms and advancing cooperation on carbon credits.
The fourth focuses on breakthroughs in strategic infrastructure cooperation and secure supply chains by broadening the concept of infrastructure and expanding strategic cooperation on critical minerals.
The fifth emphasizes developing a highly skilled workforce that meets international standards, training talent for advanced technologies and improving governance capacity based on ESG standards.
Drawing on presentations and discussions from the four thematic sessions, policymakers, scholars and experts from both countries contributed recommendations to further refine the draft Hanoi Message 2026. The proposals focused on guiding future Vietnam-South Korea cooperation, particularly in the fields of economic development, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and high-quality human resource development.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Le Van Loi, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Vice Chairman of the Central Theory Council and Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Policy and Strategy, said the organizing committee would continue reviewing, revising and finalizing the Hanoi Message 2026 before submitting it to the competent authorities of Vietnam and South Korea as a reference for future bilateral policy research, formulation and implementation.
Loi expressed confidence that the forum's outcomes and recommendations would be further developed through cooperation among government agencies, research institutes, universities and business communities in both countries, contributing to a deeper and more substantive Vietnam-South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the years ahead.
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