RoK Picks Vietnam as K-Food Logistics Hub for ASEAN Expansion

Vietnam and the RoK should continue promoting all-level exchanges, broaden defence and security cooperation, and strive to achieve the bilateral trade target of 100 billion USD in 2026 and 150 billion USD by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. The two sides agreed that with global media being rapidly reshaped by digital technology and artificial intelligence, more exchanges of information, management know-how and professional practice between journalism associations are critical for each country’s press development. Cao Thi Phi Van, Deputy Director of ITPC, said that after more than three decades of cooperation, Vietnam–RoK ties are shifting from traditional manufacturing cooperation towards mastering future-oriented technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), digital finance, renewable energy and global supply chains. The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 25,206 VND/USD on July 8, up 4 VND from the previous day. The debut affirms the city’s push to overhaul investment promotion towards a more modern, transparent and technology-led model that uses digital tools and artificial intelligence to deliver sharper support for investors. The financing will support HDBank’s medium- to long-term lending, with at least 40% of ADB’s financing directed to WMSMEs to provide more opportunities for women business owners. Speaking at the ministry's regular press conference on July 7, Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director general of the Agency of Foreign Trade, said Vietnam recorded exports of 266.5 billion USD and imports of 283.2 billion USD in the first six months of the year, resulting in a trade deficit of about 16.7 billion USD. The successful conclusion of the negotiations was not merely the end of a process that lasted more than 10 years, but also demonstrated the strong commitment of both Vietnam and EFTA countries to an open, transparent and rules-based international trading system. The agreement sends a clear message that dialogue, cooperation and economic connectivity remain the most effective means of promoting growth, creating jobs and generating prosperity. Vietnamese companies expanding beyond Southeast Asia can now gain a new foothold for capital structuring and supply chain management in Kyrgyzstan, where the special financial investment territory (SFIT) has been launched as an international hub for business, capital, and innovation. Chief of the ministry's Office Lam Van Hoang said at a conference on July 7 that 219 km of national highways were built and another 212 km were upgraded in the first six months. As import markets transform, attendees agreed that trade promotion itself must become more specialised, focused on the demands of each market and sector rather than sticking to traditional promotional events. Smuggling and the production and trade of prohibited goods are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminal networks operating across both physical and online spaces. In the first six months of 2026, the ministry initiated legal proceedings against 1,333 cases involving 2,354 suspects. Quang Ninh’s booth has attracted many visitors with displays highlighting the province’s tourism potential, despite the exhibition’s focus on industry. Many visitors stopped to learn about the province and explore opportunities for cooperation in tourism and related sectors. The exhibition brought together numerous domestic enterprises and overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs, showcasing prominent brands in food, beverages, tourism and logistics, including Me Trang Coffee, Vietnam Tea Shop, BKT Group, Ocean and OPL, along with a wide range of speciality Vietnamese food products introduced by the Vietnamese community in Thailand. Vietnam's exports of wood and wood products exceeded 17 billion USD for the first time in 2025, reaching a record 17.2 billion USD. However, exports to the UK amounted to only 244 million USD, indicating considerable room for growth. With its coastline, islands and diverse landscapes, Khanh Hoa has become one of Vietnam's leading tourism destinations, particularly for international visitors. However, while visitor numbers continue to grow, night-time tourism remains largely fragmented and lacks comprehensive planning, requiring more efforts to further exploit this potential sector. Vietnam currently has around 3.4 million exemplary farming households. However, becoming an entrepreneur requires more than production expertise. Farmers also need modern management skills, market analysis capabilities, financial management knowledge and digital competencies. The restructuring marks the completion of a long-planned reorganisation of Vietnam's securities market, ending HNX's role as a stock exchange for listed equities while establishing clearer functional separation between the country's two bourses. Authorities detected and handled 67,937 violations in the first half of the year, up 36.66% year-on-year. Budget revenue from enforcement reached nearly 9.65 trillion VND (nearly 367 million USD), an increase of 49.36%, while investigation was launched into 1,676 criminal cases involving 2,789 suspects. A growing number of German companies now see Vietnam as an attractive investment destination. With a clear development strategy and new incentives, Da Nang is well-placed to capture demand from German firms seeking new footholds in Asia. The city's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) expanded 8.55% in the first half of the year, the highest six-month growth rate in a decade. However, officials said the city must grow by more than 11% in the third quarter and about 12% in the fourth quarter to meet its annual target. ​ Experts say the launch of the trading platform is only the first step. The long-term success of the market will depend on a transparent system backed by robust measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) standards to ensure every transaction reflects genuine emissions reductions. The association said exports of fibres, fabrics, accessories and nonwoven materials recorded solid growth of between 5.6% and 10.6% during the period. However, garment exports slipped 0.4% as consumer demand in key markets remained weak. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.