Vietnam is strongly committed to the process of economic cooperation and integration.

On this occasion, VNA reporters in Korea interviewed Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea Vu Ho about the meaning, purpose and role of Vietnam in participating in this influential multilateral forum. The following is the content of the interview:

Photo caption — Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Vu Ho gives an interview to a VNA reporter in the Republic of Korea about President Luong Cuong's attendance at the APEC Summit. Photo: Truong Giang/VNA in the Republic of Korea

Ambassador, could you please tell us the meaning and purpose of Vietnam's participation in the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea?

The Vietnamese delegation, led by President Luong Cuong, will attend the APEC 2025 Summit from October 29 to November 1 in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea. This is not only an annual event but also an opportunity for APEC economies to exchange policy orientations, promote trade and investment liberalization, green transformation and innovation – key factors to ensure sustainable growth in a volatile world context.

Vietnam’s participation in this event also demonstrates its strong commitment to the process of economic cooperation and connectivity in the Asia- Pacific region. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to promote the image of a dynamic economy, deeply integrated and always accompanying the region towards the goal of “Connection – Innovation – Prosperity”. Attending the Conference also helps Vietnam affirm its role as an active, responsible and increasingly proactive member in shaping the regional cooperation structure, preparing for hosting APEC 2027.

In the context of many fluctuations in the world and regional situation, could you please tell us about the contents and themes of APEC this year and the priorities that Vietnam is interested in?

The theme of APEC 2025 is “Building a sustainable future: Connectivity – Innovation – Prosperity”. In the context of slow global economic recovery and increasingly fierce strategic competition among major countries, Vietnam pays special attention to three groups of contents: Promoting green, inclusive and sustainable growth, towards the goal of carbon neutrality; Strengthening supply chain connectivity and digital trade, leveraging technology and innovation to expand markets and cooperate to ensure food security, energy and high-quality human resources.

Vietnam will also have a constructive voice and make substantial contributions to the APEC cooperation orientation in the new period, especially contents related to the practical interests of people and businesses.

APEC is a forum that brings together many of the world's leading economies, including comprehensive strategic partners and Vietnam's most important economic and trade partners. How does the Ambassador assess Vietnam's efforts to increase its influence in international economic integration and enhance its foreign relations position in multilateral forums?

Vietnam has increasingly asserted its image as a dynamic and responsible member of multilateral mechanisms, of which APEC is an important forum. Since joining APEC in 1998, Vietnam has successfully hosted APEC twice (in 2006 and 2017) and will host it in 2027, thereby demonstrating its prestige, organizational capacity and innovative contributions.

In fact, Vietnam is an attractive destination for international investment and trade, a comprehensive strategic partner of many APEC economies such as the US, South Korea, Japan, China, Australia, Singapore... Deep integration efforts through the implementation of new generation free trade agreements (FTAs), such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), have contributed to enhancing Vietnam's position, helping Vietnam's voice in APEC to be heard and respected.

APEC is also an important channel to promote bilateral cooperation in depth. President Luong Cuong attended the APEC Summit held in Gyeongju. How does the Ambassador assess the impact of the trip on bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Korea?

President Luong Cuong’s attendance at the APEC Summit in Gyeongju has a dual meaning: it is both a participation in multilateral activities and an opportunity to promote cooperation with member economies. Within the framework of the Summit, the President is expected to meet with leaders of the Republic of Korea and many partners who are leaders of member economies. The parties will discuss cooperation orientations in strategic areas such as high-tech supply chains, clean energy, innovation, non-traditional security and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam and Korea are comprehensive strategic partners, with good relations in economics, politics and people-to-people exchanges; to maintain and nurture the sustainability of this relationship, deep mutual understanding is a prerequisite. High-ranking leaders of Vietnam and Korea have had frequent contacts and exchanges through both mutual visits and multilateral activities. In 2024 and 2025 alone, many Vietnamese leaders visited Korea, including visits by General Secretary To Lam (August 2025), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (June 2024) and now President Luong Cuong.

Thus, President Luong Cuong’s attendance at the APEC Summit combined with his visit to Korea this time is of great significance, both demonstrating support for the APEC host and contributing to strengthening the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The exchanges will create a foundation for more substantive comprehensive cooperation, especially as the two countries look towards the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1992-2027).

According to the Ambassador, what opportunities can Vietnam take advantage of to host APEC in 2027?

Vietnam has always attached great importance to hosting multilateral events, and has successfully hosted many multilateral events since the 1990s. The 2006 and 2017 APEC Summits were both resounding successes, leaving a deep impression of Vietnam in the hearts of delegates.

APEC 2027 is a golden opportunity for Vietnam to promote its national image, affirm its leading role in regional cooperation, and create new momentum for socio-economic development.

By successfully organizing APEC 2027, Vietnam will have the opportunity to promote the image of a country that is innovative, dynamic, and strongly developing; thereby promoting economic and cultural diplomacy, enhancing its position in the region and on the international arena.

At the same time, this is also a golden opportunity for Vietnam to attract investment and high-quality tourism, especially in innovation, digital economy, green energy towards sustainable development. Enterprises also have great opportunities to connect, expand business and participate in global markets.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/viet-nam-cam-ket-manh-me-voi-tien-trinh-hop-tac-va-lien-ket-kinh-te-20251024212641590.htm