Ninh Binh, RoK aim to expand cooperation in new phase

RoK an important investment partner

Since 2016, former Ninh Binh and Ha Nam provinces and localities in the RoK have established effective bilateral cooperation relations, such as relations 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 relations are an important foundation that has opened up many opportunities for cooperation in many fields between new Ninh Binh province and Korean localities.

In terms of economic cooperation, as of October 2025, Ninh Binh province had 746 FDI projects with a total registered investment capital of 14.33 billion USD; of which the RoK was one of the important investment partners with 218 investment projects, totaling 2.69 billion USD, 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 some 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. The company's two factories have a combined production capacity of nearly 180,000 vehicles per year.

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 the RoK."

The Hyundai Thanh Cong joint venture is the result of over 16 years of cooperation between Thanh Cong Group and Hyundai Motor, beginning 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. The Group is implementing many plans to expand production, increase the localisation rate, and develop a modern automotive industry ecosystem in Vietnam.

Extensive cooperation in multiple fields

The RoK is the second largest market for Vietnamese labourers (after Taiwan and China), with approximately 48,000 Vietnamese workers employed, mainly in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and service sectors. Given its potential in the labour sector, Ninh Binh province, together with Korean localities, has signed and implemented five agreements to send workers to work seasonally in the RoK.

Since 2018, 3,277 workers from the province have been selected and qualified to work seasonally in the RoK.

In the agricultural sector, training programmes on high-tech agricultural development are a prime example of cooperation between Ninh Binh province and Korean localities, including Asan city. As of October 23, 2025, six delegations, totaling 103 officials and exemplary farmers from Ninh Binh province, had participated in the High-Tech Agricultural Development Training Programme in Asan City. These collaborative results have contributed to strengthening the friendly relations between Ninh Binh and Asan, and enhancing Vietnam-RoK relations.

As a country with a developed cultural and entertainment industry, Korean localities and Ninh Binh province have promoted 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 for film and tourism purposes.

They have also explored mechanisms for managing the development of heritage cities ancient capitals, models for the restoration and preservation of heritage, promoting high-tech investment, and fostering seasonal labour cooperation.

At the same time, people-to-people exchanges have been strengthened through the exchange of art troupes and sports teams between localities on both sides. Ninh Binh province has welcomed and worked with many Korean diplomatic delegations visiting, surveying, and promoting tourism, fostering exchanges and cooperation.

Ninh Binh has received several important ODA projects from the RoK, 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 nearly 1.2 trillion VND; 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 Korean government, aiming to plant, restore, and develop an additional 240 hectares of mangrove forest in Kim Son district.

Several Korean organisations have implemented programmes and projects that have contributed to supporting social welfare and improving the well-being of the people, especially vulnerable groups, the elderly, and students in rural areas.

Woo Won Shik, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly, stated during his visit to Ninh Binh in late November 2025 that 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, and encourage Korean businesses to invest in Ninh Binh, he said.

At the same time, the Korean National Assembly encourages the enhancement of people-to-people exchanges and the expansion of cultural exchanges to further solidify the friendship and understanding between the people of the two countries, the Speaker stressed.