PM Dung emphasised that the visit of Mr Park and Korean parliamentarians’ delegation will help develop bilateral ties between the two countries for their mutual benefit. He said that Vietnam and the RoK share a number of similarities. Currently more than 90,000 Korean people are living and working in Vietnam while the same number of Vietnamese people are working in the RoK. Therefore, bilateral co-operation not only brings practical efficiency for both sides but also contributes to peace, friendship and co-operation in the region.

PM Dung reaffirmed that as ASEAN president in 2010, Vietnam will actively boost co-operation between ASEAN and the RoK and also wants to strengthen bilateral investment and trade relations . Mr Dung proposed to the RoK that the country provide training courses for Vietnamese workers, teach the Korean language and create suitable conditions for Vietnamese guest workers. Vietnam attaches much importance to fostering co-operative relations with the RoK in education and training and culture.

Mr Park expressed his delight at important developments in Vietnam-RoK and RoK-ASEAN relations. He hoped to see Vietnam gain further achievements, successfully implement measures to deal with the impact of the global economic and financial crisis, maintain high economic growth, accelerate administrative reform and invest in infrastructure development. He also acknowledged Vietnam’s support for Korean investors doing business in Vietnam. He said that he would like to see two-way trade turnover between the two countries will reach US$20 billion in 2015.

To mark the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, Mr Park was also helpful that urban residential development via the Red River project will help boost Hanoi’s image and create a “Red River Miracle”.