In a heartfelt meeting with friends of Vietnam, including Coach Park Hang Seo, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recounted special memories of the Vietnamese national football team's return from Changzhou, China, after the 2018 AFC U23 Championship finals.

On the late afternoon of June 30 (local time), following the official welcoming ceremony at the airport, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Korean friends in Seoul.

The meeting highlighted the strong bond between the two nations, with Korean friends sharing their contributions to Vietnam, including support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Korean friends in Seoul. Photo: Nhat Bac

Coach Park Hang Seo reminisced about his tenure with the Vietnamese national football team, noting that the team's victories brought joy to both Vietnam and Korea.

"It is not only a sporting achievement but also a demonstration of cultural solidarity," he said. Park emphasized that the support from fans in both countries has created a bond that extends beyond football. Even though he is no longer the head coach, he remains committed to fostering connections between the two cultures.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed gratitude for the sincere affection of Korean friends towards Vietnam. He emphasized the deep historical ties between the two countries and the importance of people-to-people exchanges. Currently, over 200,000 Koreans live in Vietnam and more than 200,000 Vietnamese live in Korea, a testament to the strong relationship fostered by both governments.

The Prime Minister shared a vivid memory of the Vietnamese football team's return from the 2018 U23 Asian Cup finals in Changzhou. The team, led by Coach Park, received a hero's welcome, with a traffic jam stretching over 30 kilometers from Noi Bai airport to central Hanoi due to the throngs of fans. This event highlighted the deep affection of the Vietnamese people for Coach Park and the strong ties between Vietnam and Korea.

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Mr. Park Hang Seo. Photo: Nhat Bac

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with Korean friends who love Vietnam. Photo: Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister highlighted the robust cooperation between Vietnam and Korea. Korea remains Vietnam's No. 1 partner in direct investment, No. 2 in development cooperation (ODA) and tourism, and No. 3 in labor and trade. Many large Korean corporations continue to invest and expand their operations in Vietnam.

Cultural exchange has also flourished, with Korea's cultural industry having a significant impact on Vietnam, particularly in films and music. In science and technology, Korean research institutes and trends in biotechnology, semiconductor chips, and AI are being implemented in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister affirmed the strong, comprehensive, and effective development of Vietnam-Korea relations, benefiting both countries and their peoples. He called on Korean friends to deepen their love for Vietnam, translating their sentiments into projects and cooperation programs.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh encouraged continued investment and business from Korean friends in Vietnam. He assured them of equal and fair treatment and the protection of their legitimate interests. He also hoped that Korean friends would continue to show their affection for Vietnam, contributing to the development and prosperity of both nations.

Thu Hang (from Seoul, Korea)