Hanoi and Gyeonggi Province (South Korea) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster friendly and cooperative relations between the two localities.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh delivers his speech at the signing ceremony. Photos: VNA

The MoU outlines nine areas of focus, emphasizing enhanced cooperation in business, trade, smart cities, urban development, arts and culture, heritage preservation, sports exchanges, climate change, energy issues, public health and pharmaceuticals, education, and people-to-people exchanges to promote socio-economic development.

The signing ceremony occurred during a meeting between a high-level delegation from Hanoi, led by Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, and the leadership of Gyeonggi Province. Thanh is on a working visit to South Korea from October 19 to 22.

The purpose of the visit is to promote effective cooperation between Hanoi and South Korean partners, businesses, and organizations at the local level, according to the mayor.

He emphasized the importance of the partnership with Gyeonggi, South Korea's leading economic powerhouse and its largest subnational unit, home to 27% of the country's population.

To further strengthen ties between Hanoi and Gyeonggi, Thanh suggested that the two sides support cooperation between Hanoi's Hoa Lạc Hi-Tech Park and Gyeonggi's Housing and Urban Development Corporation, leveraging Gyeonggi's successful experience in developing and managing high-tech zones.

The chairman said Gyeonggi has achieved remarkable economic growth in heavy and light industries, electronics, chemicals, tourism, and agriculture. Major South Korean firms have made significant investments in provincial industrial parks and high-tech zones such as Pangyo Techno Valley, Songdo International Business District, Samsung Semiconductor Complex, and Paju LCD Display Complex.

Hanoi and Gyeonggi Province have strengthened their partnership in recent years. The ambassador of the Korean province, Kang Kum-sil, paid two visits to Hanoi in September 2023 and March 2024. 

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh (left) and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Woo Won Shik.

Two capitals’ relations

According to Choi Ho Jung, Chairwoman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the South Korean capital is keen to strengthen the implementation of a cooperation agreement signed between the Hanoi People's Council and the Seoul Metropolitan Council in December 2023.

At a meeting with the Hanoi delegation on October 22, Chairwoman Choi praised Hanoi's recent development and agreed to organize meaningful activities to mark the 30th anniversary of Hanoi-Seoul relations in 2026.

Oh Se Hoon, Mayor of Seoul, also lauded the strong ties between the two cities, noting that both sides have maintained close cooperation at various levels, sharing information and experience in urban development and management.

The Korean official suggested that Hanoi and Seoul focus on cooperation in smart city initiatives, digital transformation, and urban planning, with special attention to joint efforts in developing both banks of the Red River and other specific projects.

He reiterated that Seoul is willing to share its experience in urban management with Hanoi.

Hanoi welcomes Korean businesses and people

Chairman Tran Sy Thanh reiterated that Hanoi will always prioritize and create favorable conditions for South Korean businesses and residents to live and work in the city.

In a meeting with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, Chairman Thanh reaffirmed Hanoi's commitment to promoting cultural exchanges, tourism cooperation, and people-to-people ties to enhance mutual understanding and lay the foundation for sustainable Vietnam-South Korea relations.

"Hanoi has always prioritized fostering friendly and mutually beneficial relations with South Korean partners," he said.

"For Hanoi, South Korea is one of our most important and long-standing cooperation partners, through which we have made significant achievements in areas such as economy, trade, tourism, culture, education, environment and people-to-people exchanges."

According to Speaker Woo, Vietnam and South Korea have made substantial progress in their relations in various fields over the past 30 years.

In 2022, the two countries marked a new chapter in their relations by elevating their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two sides have frequently exchanged delegation visits at all levels, including Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính's visit to South Korea in July 2024.

As part of the working visit, on the afternoon of October 21, the Hanoi delegation attended the 2024 Hanoi-Korea Investment and Trade Promotion Conference and met with several leading South Korean companies.