30th Anniversary of Korea-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations... Chairman Lee Jae-yong Attends Vietnam Samsung R&D Center Completion Ceremony

"Strengthening Vietnam's Industrial Competitiveness to Contribute to Enhancing Korea-Vietnam Friendly Cooperation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong attended the completion ceremony of the Vietnam Samsung Research & Development (R&D) Center located in the THT district of Hanoi on the 23rd and expressed his commitment to contributing to the promotion of friendly cooperation between Korea and Vietnam. This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Vietnam (established on December 22, 1992).

On the 23rd, Chairman Lee stated at the Vietnam completion ceremony site, "We will contribute not only to strengthening Vietnam's industrial competitiveness but also to enhancing friendly cooperation between Korea and Vietnam." The Vietnam Samsung R&D Center is the first large-scale comprehensive research institute established by a global company in Vietnam.

Going forward, about 2,200 researchers will be stationed here to conduct research on ▲smart devices ▲network technology ▲software, among others. Samsung currently regards Vietnam, which serves as a global production hub, as a global strategic base to be developed for comprehensive research and development. Samsung plans to strengthen the expertise of the Vietnam R&D Center by specializing in core technologies of software for mobile devices, such as ▲multimedia information processing ▲wireless communication security.

The event was attended by Samsung executives including Samsung Electronics President Roh Tae-moon and Samsung Display President Choi Joo-sun, as well as Vietnamese officials such as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chief Minister of the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s Office Tran Van Son, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat, and Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young-joo. Park Hang-seo, coach of the Vietnam national football team, and executives and employees from Samsung Electronics’ major global R&D centers in the United States, United Kingdom, and India also sent video messages congratulating the completion of the Vietnam R&D Center.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong is seen inspecting the smartphone manufacturing plant during his visit to Samsung Electronics Vietnam (SEV) near Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday, the 22nd.

Around the completion ceremony of the Samsung R&D Center, Chairman Lee visited Samsung facilities near Hanoi to inspect smartphone and display production plants, review business status and mid- to long-term management strategies, and took time to encourage employees. Samsung first entered Vietnam in 1989 by establishing a Samsung C&T trading office in Hanoi, and in 1995 established Samsung Electronics Corporation in Ho Chi Minh City to begin TV production and sales. Currently, Samsung produces ▲smartphones and mobile devices ▲network equipment ▲TVs ▲displays ▲batteries in Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Ninh, and Thai Nguyen.

Since entering Vietnam, Samsung has played a pivotal role in strengthening relations between the two countries. Last year, Samsung recorded exports of $65.4 billion in Vietnam, accounting for about 20% of Vietnam’s total exports. Vietnam’s total export volume last year was $336.3 billion. Since 2012, when Chairman Lee visited Vietnam with former Chairman Lee Kun-hee to inspect smartphone production sites, he has maintained steady exchanges with key Vietnamese figures and managed Samsung’s business in Vietnam. A business community official evaluated, "Chairman Lee and Samsung are 'private diplomats' contributing to the promotion of friendship between Korea and Vietnam."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.