A delegation from Nghe An province held an investment promotion conference in Seoul on October 15 to discuss cooperation with South Korea in green industry, clean energy, the digital economy, tourism and high-quality human resources.
The event was part of the delegation's working visit to South Korea from October 12 to 17. Around 100 people attended, including Vietnamese diplomats, representatives of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), major corporations such as SK Group, business associations, local authorities and investors from both countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea Vu Ho said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries is opening more opportunities for cooperation in high technology, energy, digital transformation and human resources training.
He described Nghe An, the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh, as a province with an important position in the north-central region, abundant human resources and considerable development potential. He said the Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office in South Korea would support businesses and facilitate partnerships.
Nguyen Khac Than, a member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and head of the provincial delegation to the National Assembly, highlighted Nghe An's potential. He cited its central position in the north-central region, multimodal transport infrastructure including road and rail networks, Cua Lo deep-water port and Vinh International Airport, as well as its human resources. The province has a population of around 3.8 million and a strong vocational training system.
He said the province is ready to provide a fair and favourable investment environment, prepare cleared land in the expanded Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone, streamline administrative procedures and provide clean energy infrastructure for investment projects.
During the discussions, Korean partners showed interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) incentives, carbon market mechanisms, emissions reduction policies and access to renewable electricity through direct power purchase agreements (DPPAs).
They also explored the advantages of locating factories in industrial parks integrated with clean energy to meet global sustainability standards. Manufacturers of heavy machinery and energy equipment, whose products weigh between 1,500 and 3,000 tonnes, stressed the need for specialised logistics infrastructure and direct port connectivity.
Other discussions covered ESG and artificial intelligence training at local universities and colleges, as well as investment links in the defence industry for small and medium-sized enterprises. Responding to investors' concerns, Bui Thanh An, Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, and other officials said Nghe An is working to complete the Cua Lo deep-water port project, upgrade Vinh International Airport and promote a direct air route between Vinh and South Korea.
Dong Hoi Industrial Park and areas surrounding specialised ports were identified as suitable locations for heavy engineering and oversized energy equipment projects.
Provincial representatives said Nghe An has clean energy potential exceeding 4,500 MW from hydropower, wind and solar power. They also said the 1,500 MW Quynh Lap liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is being developed by an SK Group joint venture.
In education and defence industry cooperation, participants highlighted the partnership between Vinh University and SeoulTech. They pledged to coordinate with central authorities to facilitate connections when Korean businesses put forward specific proposals.
At the conference, Hoang Thinh Dat JSC signed a cooperation agreement with the Global E-Mobility Association Network (GEAN).
The agreement is expected to attract electric vehicle supply chains, smart components and related industries to the industrial parks developed by the company in Nghe An.
Before the conference, the Nghe An delegation met with the Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea and held working sessions with Korean businesses. These included talks with SK Innovation on the 1.5-2.25 billion USD Quynh Lap LNG project and a specialised energy industrial complex model, a visit to SK Telecom's Gasan AI Data Centre, and meetings with Sono Trinity, KSBJ Construction and KCCI, as well as the chair of GEAN.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
