The move comes as Southeast Asia emerges as a new production and consumption hub for the automotive industry.

Under a trilateral cooperation agreement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, Hyundai will participate directly in developing technical training programmes aimed at building a job-ready workforce for auto parts manufacturing and vehicle assembly plants.

The programme is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026 and run through 2031, focusing on practical skills such as mould-making, machining and welding, key areas in the automotive production chain.

While Hyundai will design the curriculum based on industry demand, KOICA will oversee project operations and management, while Vietnam will provide training infrastructure through vocational education institutions.

Unlike traditional training programmes, the new cooperation model focuses heavily on hands-on industry skills, aiming to narrow the gap between training and production. Upon completing the programme, trainees will be connected directly with job opportunities at automotive parts companies not only in Vietnam but also at RoK firms.

The involvement of KOICA, also shows a combination of official development assistance (ODA) policy and corporate strategy. The model helps improve workforce capacity in Vietnam and supports South Korean companies seeking to expand operations.

Sung Kim, a Hyundai Motor executive overseeing strategic planning, said Vietnam’s automotive market is forecast to grow rapidly, leading to rising demand for skilled workers.

He said Hyundai would combine the group’s workforce training experience with KOICA’s development cooperation expertise to provide learning opportunities for Vietnamese students while creating a virtuous cycle linking training with employment in the automotive sector.

Under Hyundai’s ASEAN strategy, Vietnam is emerging as a key market. In 2025, the group sold more than 80,000 vehicles in Vietnam, maintaining its position among the market’s leading brands, behind only domestic EV maker VinFast. In the first quarter of this year alone, Hyundai sold more than 20,000 vehicles, up more than 13% year-on-year.

Apart from being a consumer market, Vietnam is also playing an increasingly important role in Hyundai’s production network. Since 2017, the company has established a manufacturing joint venture with Thanh Cong Group, gradually localising production and developing a supplier ecosystem.

Alongside its business operations, Hyundai has also stepped up corporate social responsibility programmes in Vietnam. Initiatives such as “Hyundai Jump School Vietnam” and the global scholarship programme of the Chung Mong Koo Foundation have contributed to developing long-term human resources, particularly in education.

Second Huyndai plant gets off ground in Ninh Binh

VOV.VN - A ground-breaking ceremony for the second auto manufacturing plant of Huyndai Thanh Cong (HTMV2) was held in Ninh Binh province, northern Vietnam, on September 20.