The government is moving to expand cooperation with Vietnam in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, secondary batteries and biotech.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the foreign ministry held a Korea-Vietnam science and technology innovation forum on April 24 at the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) in Hanoi with Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology. They shared a “science and technology innovation cooperation masterplan” containing a mid- to long-term cooperation vision between the two countries.

The forum was arranged on the occasion of President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to Vietnam. The masterplan framework jointly established by the two countries is a follow-up measure to implement an agreement between the two leaders in August last year. The Ministry of Science and ICT discussed the direction of the plan with Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology through the Korea-Vietnam Joint Committee on Science and Technology, and after meetings including the ministerial meeting on science and technology relations, officially concluded the masterplan framework at the summit on April 22.

The masterplan focuses on achieving strategic goals in grant-based development cooperation by 추진해 promoting follow-up support projects for VKIST. It aims to build a package-type cooperation system linking joint research, talent development, dissemination of results and infrastructure support.

Reflecting Vietnam’s national development strategy and demand from industry and research communities in both countries, the two sides will select priority areas for cooperation and train talent ranging from master’s and doctoral-level advanced researchers to practical personnel. They will also promote technology demonstrations and transfers by using demonstration centres and regulatory sandboxes. They will foster VKIST as a base for science and technology cooperation with Vietnam and expand the cooperation network nationwide.

The forum also featured a panel discussion on practical implementation measures alongside the masterplan announcement. Cooperation cases between companies in the two countries were shared. In addition, a total of 10 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed in advanced fields including AI, space and quantum technology.

Vice Minister Bae Kyung-hoon (배경훈) said South Korea and Vietnam need to build a science and technology strategic partnership based on their solid trust. He said the two countries will combine South Korea’s technological capabilities with Vietnam’s growth potential to create global innovation outcomes.