President Luong Cuong and a high-level Vietnamese delegation will attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week and hold bilateral meetings in the Republic of Korea from October 29 to November at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung.

The visit offers Vietnam a chance to present itself as a dynamic, deeply integrated economy that stands with the region under the theme “Connectivity - Innovation - Prosperity.”
Vietnam’s highlights in APEC

Established in 1989 with 21 member economies, APEC has proven to be the region’s premier economic cooperation mechanism, pioneering trade and investment liberalization and contributing to growth, stability, and development across the Asia-Pacific.

APEC cooperation focuses on three pillars: trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, and economic-technical cooperation.

Vietnam became an APEC member on November 14, 1998, in Kuala Lumpur, marking a milestone in its open, diversified, and multilateral foreign policy and international economic integration.

Over 27 years of joining the organization, Vietnam has played an active role in promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and regional economic connectivity, reinforcing APEC’s position as the region’s leading economic linkage mechanism.

Vietnam is among the few members to have successfully hosted APEC twice. During its two host years, APEC economies made important advances, notably identifying for the first time the prospect of forming a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) - a key decision laying the groundwork for long-term regional integration.

The nation also accelerated the implementation of the Bogor goals on trade and investment liberalization, helped organize the first dialogue between APEC and ASEAN leaders, and contributed to progress toward the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

It has been one of the most active members in proposing initiatives and projects. Many of its initiatives are regarded as practical and responsive to common concerns, particularly in sustainable and inclusive development, human resource development in the digital era, digital economy promotion, food security, and climate change response.

These contributions have enriched APEC cooperation, helping the forum adapt to evolving global trends and affirming its indispensable role in promoting growth and economic linkages across the Asia-Pacific.
Notably, Vietnam helped initiate and shape the APEC Vision to 2040, leading and coordinating the drafting of the report “People and Prosperity: APEC Vision to 2040.”
This report provided the basis for leaders to adopt the vision of an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040 for the prosperity of all people and future generations.

In 2025, Vietnam has remained active across APEC channels as it proposed and realized initiatives on digital transformation, green transition, and climate response. It also successfully hosted the third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) in Hai Phong city attended and guided in person by President Luong Cuong.

Vietnam is expected to contribute constructive ideas and substantive to APEC cooperation for the new phase, with a focus on practical benefits for people and businesses.

Attending the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, Vietnam will also play a constructive role and make substantive contributions to shaping APEC cooperation in the new phase, particularly in areas that bring practical benefits to people and businesses.

Strengthening comprehensive strategic partnership with RoK

The Vietnam-RoK relations are now at their best ever, especially since both countries officially upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2022, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations- a significant milestone in the history of bilateral ties.
Political trust between the two nations has been increasingly strengthened as both sides vigorously promote visits, exchanges, and contacts between their senior leaders, while enhancing and deepening cooperation across all channels-the Government, the National Assembly, and social organizations.

In 2024 and 2025 alone, several top Vietnamese leaders visited the RoK, including Party General Secretary To Lam in August 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in June 2024, and now President Luong Cuong.
Along with the remarkable progress in bilateral relations, people-to-people exchanges and cultural interactions have also been deepening.

Multicultural families are increasingly serving as a bridge between the two nations. Today, with around 100,000 Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families, together with Vietnamese workers contributing to the RoK’s economic development, they form a solid link connecting the two countries- trusted “people’s ambassadors” fostering the growth of bilateral ties.

President Luong Cuong’s participation in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week combined with his official visit to the RoK holds major significance as it demonstrates support for the APEC host and further consolidates the Vietnam-RoK comprehensive strategic partnership.

It also reaffirms Vietnam’s responsible contributions to regional and global issues, especially in advancing economic integration and adding fresh impetus to regional growth.

Vietnam will host the APEC Year 2027- an event considered an opportunity for the country to fast-track the implementation of the APEC Vision 2040, which Vietnam initiated and helped formulate together with other members in 2017.

It will also be an occasion to promote the image of a reforming, dynamic, and strongly developing Vietnam, thereby stepping up economic and cultural diplomacy and enhancing its position in the region and the wider world.

Vietnam prioritises comprehensive preparations for APEC 2027: Deputy PM

VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has underscored hosting APEC 2027 as a national priority, calling for thorough preparations to ensure success and cement Vietnam’s imprint in the Asia-Pacific.

PM calls for efforts to organise APEC 2027 better than two previous hostings

Vietnam will make every effort to ensure that the APEC Year 2027 is even more successful than its two previous hostings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated while chairing the inauguration ceremony of the National Organising Committee for APEC 2027, held in Hanoi on July 28 evening.