Expanding Ninh Binh-Korea cooperation in the new phase.

Nearly a decade ago, the former provinces of Ninh Binh and Ha Nam and localities in South Korea established several bilateral cooperation relationships, which served as an important foundation for strengthening exchanges, delegation visits, and cooperation in many fields. Immediately after the merger with the new Ninh Binh province, this cooperative relationship continued to be strengthened, opening up many opportunities for deeper cooperation in various fields in the future.

The automobile production and assembly line at Hyundai Thanh Cong Automobile Factory, Gian Khau Industrial Park.

South Korea - an important investment partner.

The former provinces of Ninh Binh and Ha Nam , along with localities in South Korea, have established effective bilateral cooperation relationships since 2016, such as: the relationship between Asan City and Ninh Binh Province; between Gyeonggi Province and Ha Nam Province; between Jecheon City and Ninh Binh City; and between Dongducheon City and Ninh Binh City. These relationships form an important foundation, opening up many opportunities for cooperation in various fields between the newly established Ninh Binh Province and localities in South Korea.

A highlight of economic cooperation is that, as of October 2025, Ninh Binh province had 746 FDI projects with a total registered investment capital of US$14.338 billion; of which South Korea is one of the important investment partners with 218 investment projects, totaling US$2.69 billion, accounting for 18.76% of the total FDI capital in the province. Korean FDI projects mainly focus on the following sectors: manufacturing and trading of electronic components, supporting industries for the automotive manufacturing and assembly industry, garment manufacturing, and other processing and manufacturing industries. Most projects have entered stable operation, contributing to job creation for local workers, increasing budget revenue, and making a positive contribution to the socio-economic development of the province.

A prime example is the operation of the Hyundai Thanh Cong Automobile Manufacturing Plant of Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam Automobile Manufacturing Joint Stock Company in Gian Khau Industrial Park. This is the main production center of the joint venture, with two automobile assembly plants, a total capacity of nearly 180,000 vehicles per year, along with many supporting industrial activities. The HTMV2 plant, inaugurated in 2022, was built according to the smart factory model, applying many of Hyundai's most advanced technologies.

Mr. Le Ngoc Duc, Vice Chairman of Thanh Cong Group, stated: "The success of the Thanh Cong - Hyundai joint venture has contributed to strengthening and enhancing the cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea. The Hyundai Thanh Cong joint venture is the result of over 16 years of cooperation between Thanh Cong Group and Hyundai Motor, starting in 2009. To date, more than 30 Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicle models have been introduced and manufactured in Vietnam, distributed through a system of over 100 dealerships nationwide. For many years, the Hyundai brand has been among the top automotive brands trusted and chosen by Vietnamese consumers. The Group is implementing many plans to expand production, increase the localization rate, and develop a modern automotive industry ecosystem in Vietnam."

Extensive cooperation across many fields.

South Korea is the second largest market for Vietnamese laborers (after Taiwan and China), with approximately 48,000 Vietnamese workers employed, primarily in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and services. Recognizing the potential in the labor sector, Ninh Binh province, in collaboration with South Korean localities, has signed and implemented five agreements to send seasonal workers to South Korea. These agreements are based on cooperation between localities of the two countries and partnered with: the Bonghwa-gun District Government, Gyeongsangbuk Province; the Gochang-gun District Government, Jeollabuk Province; the Jangsu District Government, Jeollabuk Province; the Jeju Provincial Government; and the Asan City Government, Chungcheongnam Province.

From 2018 to the present, 3,277 workers from Ninh Binh province have been selected and qualified to work seasonally in South Korea. These Ninh Binh workers are assessed as meeting all recruitment standards, demonstrating good cooperation and a positive attitude, and strictly adhering to the policies and laws of the host country. This has contributed to achieving the province's annual labor export and employment targets.

Furthermore, leveraging South Korea's strengths in agriculture, training programs on high-tech agricultural development are a prime example of cooperation between Ninh Binh province and South Korean localities, including Asan city. As of October 23, 2025, six delegations, comprising a total of 103 officials and exemplary farmers from Ninh Binh province, had participated in the high-tech agricultural development training program in Asan city. These collaborative results have contributed to strengthening the friendly relations between Ninh Binh and Asan, and enhancing the Vietnam-South Korea relationship.

The agricultural training program at Asan helps Ninh Binh's agricultural management staff, local authorities, businesses, and farmers improve their awareness, management capacity, and production skills, thereby enhancing management efficiency, accumulating practical experience, and promoting the province's agricultural economic development.

As a country with a developed cultural and entertainment industry, South Korean localities and Ninh Binh province have strengthened cooperation in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism. In recent years, delegations from the province have attended film festivals to connect with international agencies, producers, and directors, promote Ninh Binh tourism, and survey the construction of film studios to serve the film and tourism industries. They have also explored mechanisms for managing the development of heritage cities – ancient capitals – models for restoring and preserving heritage, promoting high-tech investment, and fostering seasonal labor cooperation.

At the same time, people-to-people exchanges were strengthened through the exchange of art troupes and sports teams from both sides. Ninh Binh province welcomed and worked with many South Korean diplomatic delegations who came to visit, survey, and promote tourism, fostering exchanges and cooperation...

In the cooperative relationship between Ninh Binh province and localities in South Korea, Ninh Binh province has received several important ODA projects from South Korea, such as: the "Ninh Binh Province Solid Waste Management and Treatment" project funded by the Korea Development Assistance Fund (EDCF), with a total investment of VND 1,198,566 million; and the "Restoration and Sustainable Management of Mangrove Forests in the Red River Delta in Ninh Binh Province" project, funded by a non-refundable grant from the South Korean government, aiming to plant, restore, and develop an additional 240 hectares of mangrove forest in Kim Son district.

Several Korean organizations have effectively supported the socio-economic development of Ninh Binh province, such as: KFHI (Korea Foundation) funding the construction of toilets, perimeter walls for Khanh Cong Secondary School and river embankments; funding the renovation and upgrading project of a 2-story, 12-classroom school building at Ky Phu Primary School; funding the Smart Water Management Project; and the "Supporting Disadvantaged Elderly People through the Expansion of Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs in Vietnam - Phase 2" project... These programs and projects have contributed to social welfare and improved the well-being of the people, especially vulnerable groups, the elderly, and students in rural areas.

During his visit to Ninh Binh in late November 2025, Mr. Woo Won Shik, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly, stated: Ninh Binh province holds an important position in cooperative development relations with Korean localities. In recent years, the province has attracted many Korean businesses to invest in and develop key industrial products, including the automotive supporting industry. Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam Automobile Manufacturing Joint Stock Company (part of Thanh Cong Group) is a prime example of this successful cooperation. The Korean National Assembly will make every effort to promote and strengthen cooperative development relations between Ninh Binh province and Korean localities, encouraging Korean businesses to invest in Ninh Binh. At the same time, it will encourage increased people-to-people exchanges and cultural exchanges to further strengthen friendship and understanding between the people of the two countries.

Phan Hieu-Anh Tuan

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/mo-rong-quan-he-hop-tac-ninh-binh-han-quoc-trong-giai-doan-moi-251211085905068.html