Dong Nai ready to promote cooperation with the RoK partners

On November 6, authorized by the Dong Nai Provincial leadership, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DoFA) Nguyen Viet Thang chaired a meeting with a working delegation from the Social Industry Committee of Gimhae City Council, the Republic of Korea (RoK), led by the Committee’s Chairman Choi Jung-heon. The meeting was also attended by leaders of several Provincial departments and sectors.

The meeting between representatives of the Provincial leadership and the working delegation from Gimhae Province, RoK, on the morning of November 6. Photo: Ngoc Lien

At the meeting, Choi Jung-heon and other members of the RoK working delegation expressed their interest in issues related to investment attraction, transport infrastructure development, as well as the province’s policies and achievements in culture, tourism, education, and healthcare.

Chairman Choi Jung-heon of the Social Industry Committee, Gimhae City Council, speaks at the meeting on the morning of November 6. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Sharing information about Dong Nai’s foreign affairs and international cooperation relations, Deputy Director of DoFA Nguyen Viet Thang said that since 1995, the province has focused on expanding international relations with partners, localities, and territories worldwide. Over the past 30 years, Dong Nai has signed 88 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and international cooperation agreements at the provincial level with 17 countries and territories worldwide, of which 27 remain valid. Among them are 8 MOUs at the provincial level and 15 at the departmental, sectoral, and local levels signed with the RoK partners that are still in effect.

Deputy Director of DoFA Nguyen Viet Thang (center) chairs the meeting. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Alongside economic development, Dong Nai has always paid attention to people-to-people diplomacy to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Vietnam and the RoK in general, and between Dong Nai and Korean localities in particular. In 2016, the province established the Vietnam–Korea Friendship Association, which now has nearly 500 members. Over the years, the association has organized many meaningful and practical activities, becoming one of the key bridges in fostering and strengthening friendly cooperation between Dong Nai and RoK localities.

Vice Rector of Dong Nai University Pham Hung Duc speaks at the meeting. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Deputy Director of DoFA Nguyen Viet Thang also recalled that previously, Bien Hoa city (formerly under the old Dong Nai province) had established a sister-city relationship with Gimhae city. This marked an important milestone that reflected the close friendship, trust, and strategic vision in promoting cooperation between the two localities.

Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training Do Dang Bao Linh speaks at the meeting. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Over time, this sister-city relationship has further deepened the friendship between Vietnam and the RoK in general, and between Dong Nai and Gimhae in particular. With the advantages and potential of both sides, the Provincial leadership believes that the two localities can expand cooperation in various fields, including cultural exchanges, youth exchange programs, education and training, healthcare, trade, investment, and science–technology collaboration.

Deputy Director of the DoFA Nguyen Viet Thang (right), representing the Provincial leadership, presents a souvenir gift to the RoK delegation. Photo: Ngoc Lien

Dong Nai always values and stands ready to create favorable conditions to promote win-win cooperation with the RoK partners, including Gimhae city, in fields such as education and training, high-tech agriculture, supporting industries, trade and services, innovation, digital transformation, and cultural exchange. This cooperation will serve as a solid foundation to further strengthen friendship, mutual understanding, and sustainable development.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha