Vietnam-North Korea cooperation enters a new, more practical and effective phase

General Secretary To Lam with General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un. (Photo: VNA)

The visit also contributes to realizing the development goals of each country, for the happiness of the people of the two countries, for peace , stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The weather in Pyongyang in recent days has been rainy and cold. The organizing committee has welcomed the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation with great care and attention, ensuring that the schedule of activities of the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation is always favorable.

North Korea is one of the first countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam (since 1950). The traditional friendship has been cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kim Il Sung and generations of leaders of the two countries.

The solemn welcoming ceremony for General Secretary To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, chaired by General Secretary and State President Kim Jong Un, took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere with the participation of high-ranking officials and a large number of North Korean people. Many unforgettable emotions and impressions were felt when the people waved the red flag with a yellow star and shouted to welcome General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam.

This is Comrade To Lam's first visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as General Secretary and the first State visit by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to North Korea in 18 years, taking place right on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950-2025), the Vietnam-North Korea Friendship Year 2025. The visit continues to affirm Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of attaching importance to relations with traditional friendly countries.

In recent times, the two sides have signed a number of bilateral cooperation agreements in the fields of culture, health, civil aviation, judicial assistance, investment promotion and protection, double taxation avoidance, etc.; maintained a number of dialogue and cooperation mechanisms such as the Political Consultation at the Deputy Foreign Minister level, the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic-Trade, Scientific-Technological Cooperation on the basis of suitability to the needs of each country as well as international regulations.

During the State-level talks, the two leaders were pleased with the continued consolidation and enhancement of the relationship between the two Parties and countries, and agreed to jointly promote the Vietnam-DPRK relationship to enter a new, more practical and effective stage of development, contributing to the realization of each country's development goals, for the happiness of the people of the two countries, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

General Secretary To Lam congratulated the great achievements in the cause of construction and development of the DPRK over the past 80 years and affirmed his belief that, with the motto of "taking the people as the root", "unity" and "self-reliance", DPRK will complete the tasks and goals set by the Workers' Party of Korea, opening a new era, reviving a prosperous and strong nation in all aspects.

General Secretary and State President Kim Jong Un speaks at the ceremony celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is ready to share with North Korea experiences in economic innovation and foreign economic relations; information on economic management policies and socio-economic development; and hopes that both sides will expand cooperation in areas of strength such as culture, sports, tourism, education, healthcare, information and communication, and build radio and television programs to introduce the culture, country and people of each country.

General Secretary and State President Kim Jong Un highly appreciated the cooperation proposals and affirmed that the DPRK wishes to closely cooperate with Vietnam in Party building and national development, and is ready to promote cooperation in many suitable fields; requested that Party agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, departments, branches and localities of both sides increase exchanges on specific measures to effectively implement major orientations on developing bilateral relations, aiming to bring Vietnam-DPRK relations into a new stage of development, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries.

During the visit, the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation attended an art performance to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea. Enjoying the elaborate group performances to the vibrant and heroic background of Korean revolutionary music, along with the emotional and enthusiastic response of the masses in the stands, they learned more about the origin of the strength, will and determination of the Party, State and people of Korea in the cause of protecting, building and developing the country. That was also the atmosphere of the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea (October 10, 1945 - October 10, 2025). Despite the pouring rain and the cold evening weather, Kim Il Sung Square was packed with attendees expressing their excitement, confidence and pride.

General Secretary To Lam visits a class named after President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: VNA)

While visiting the Museum of Juche Music Art Development in Pyongyang, General Secretary To Lam expressed his admiration for the knowledge, musical talent, and interest in culture and juche music of the North Korean leaders. The General Secretary affirmed that culture and music are the source of strength, can overcome all difficulties and hardships, and all people have the right to enjoy them...

Over the past five years, North Korea has proposed a national economic development plan with the requirement to build a stable, planned economy that is not dependent on the outside; focusing on developing the metallurgical and chemical industries, attaching importance to agricultural development; and prioritizing the resolution of urgent social issues such as housing and food.

North Korea is focusing on implementing the 20x10 local development policy with the goal of building 20 modern factories in localities each year and implementing it within 10 years to narrow the gap in regional differences. The first phase prioritizes development in the field of light industry such as garment, food processing, consumer goods; then expanding to the fields of health, education, science and technology, aquaculture, food management. The state is also promoting the completion of the construction of 50,000 apartments in the capital Pyongyang in the period of 2021-2025 (an average of 10,000 apartments completed each year).

Currently, the final phase of the project with 10,000 apartments in Hwasong district has been launched since February 2025, expected to be completed by the end of this year. North Korea attaches special importance to education development. You have built a complete education system from kindergarten to adult classes. Schools have a complete infrastructure system, designed in harmony with the natural landscape. Students are educated to develop comprehensively in knowledge, physical and spiritual life.

This was evident when we visited Kieng Sang Kindergarten, a music education facility for gifted children. Many of the school’s students have achieved high results in international competitions; the school’s teachers have about 40 years of experience in music education and are often tasked with visiting other training facilities to look for musical talent.

Watching the children enthusiastically perform special performances, including the song "Who loves Uncle Ho Chi Minh more than teenagers and children" by musician Phong Nha, we felt their joy. Many schools, especially primary schools, are promoting the application of information technology in teaching and learning activities, digitizing educational resources...

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to North Korea Le Ba Vinh, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange are bright spots in the friendly relations between the two countries with diverse forms such as exchanges of art and cultural delegations, sports exchanges, participation in the annual Spring Arts Festival, and the Pyongyang International Film Festival.

Exchange activities between people's organizations are maintained and expanded, especially activities within the framework of the Vietnam-DPRK Friendship Year 2025. Through this, people have a deeper understanding of the traditional and good friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples. Agricultural cooperation is also one of the bright spots with many practical and effective exchange activities.

During this visit, General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and State President Kim Jong Un agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels through the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and local cooperation channels to enhance experience sharing, consolidate political trust and mutual understanding; effectively maintain dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, study the possibility of cooperation in appropriate fields; promote people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

A number of cooperation documents have been signed by ministries, branches and agencies of both sides, marking an important new step forward in the traditional friendship between the two countries, contributing to the realization of each country's development goals and to the common development of the region and the world.

HANH NGUYEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/quan-he-hop-tac-viet-nam-trieu-tien-buoc-vao-giai-doan-moi-thiet-thuc-hieu-qua-hon-post914702.html