Vietnam and South Korea to strengthen ties in AI

This was the key message delivered at the fourth Vietnam-Korea Digital Forum held in Hanoi on November 21–22, co-organised by Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications and South Korea's Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technologies.

Jang Ho Seung, South Korean consul general to Vietnam, expressed the desire to further enhance digital cooperation between the two nations. "Our two countries can collaborate in building core digital infrastructure, including AI, next-generation networks, AI semiconductors, data centres, and AI-compatible technology ecosystems. Additionally, both sides need to pioneer the development of legal and institutional frameworks supporting digitalisation and AI," he said.

At the forum, representatives from the Ministry of Public Security and the National Innovation Centre under the Ministry of Planning and Investment presented important papers on the position, role, objectives, and roadmap for building the National Data Centre in Vietnam, as well as opportunities and challenges in AI application and startup development.

Photo: Ministry of Information and Communications

Technology firms from both countries, including CMC, NTQ, FPT from Vietnam and Datastreams and Gractor from South Korea, shared experiences in AI applications and future visions. South Korean businesses across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and industry expressed interest in expanding investment in Vietnam and collaborating with partners here.

"We view Vietnam as a country of many opportunities and hope to implement projects here. We have signed MoUs with several Vietnamese universities and hope to produce and market semiconductor textbook products in Vietnam in the future," said Kim Jun Ho, a Letuin Edu representative.

Kim Sung Mo from Mobilint said, "We are also looking for opportunities to establish an office in the Vietnamese market."

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam sais, "Vietnam can learn more from South Korea's positive experiences and breakthrough approaches to maximise the role of digital technology, bridge the digital divide, support disadvantaged groups, and promote cooperation opportunities between businesses of both countries."

According to Deputy Minister Tam, South Korea is a leading country in digital technology and an important partner for Vietnam. The two countries share many commonalities and cooperation opportunities, especially in developing digital government and digital personnel.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Phan Tam. Photo: Ministry of Information and Communications

Recently, Vietnam and South Korea engaged in cooperative activities such as human resource training, capacity building for Vietnamese agencies, consultation on the E-Transaction Law and Digital Technology Industry Law, and implementing the Vietnam-Korea ITCP project.

The two nations have maintained cooperation in digital transformation and AI development since 2023, when Vietnam's Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung visited South Korea. During the visit, authorities from both countries discussed, shared strategies, and explored cooperation in several areas.

Hur Sung Wook, president of Korea's National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), expects the forum will help usher in a new era for AI in Vietnam, unlocking development potential for both Vietnam and South Korea in applying the technology to the digital economy.

"This forum marks an important milestone as we prepare for the AI era and further strengthen the cooperative and innovative relationship between our two countries," he said.

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