"Investing in Future Generations of Korea and Vietnam for a Century of Prosperity"… Yoon Quotes Ho Chi Minh at State Banquet

Ochanseo Addresses Skilled Workforce Issue
President Truong Cites Proverb "A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step"
"Ready to Cooperate Closely with Han"

On the 23rd (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol quoted a famous saying by Ho Chi Minh, the 'Father of Vietnam,' at a state banquet in Vietnam, stating, "For a century of prosperity, we will continue to increase investment and support for the future generations of both countries." This was to emphasize that from now on, both Korea and Vietnam must increase investment in nurturing talent to deepen cooperation between the future generations of the two countries.

Also, while President Yoon listened to local businesspeople about difficulties such as securing manpower during the luncheon, at the banquet, he was interpreted to have repeatedly urged the Vietnamese government to promote human exchange and talent development by quoting the words of the national father.

At the state banquet held at the Hanoi International Convention Center (ICC) that evening, President Yoon greeted in Vietnamese with "Xin ch?o" and immediately spoke about talent development.

President Yoon said, "President Ho Chi Minh once said that to prepare for ten years, you must plant trees, but to prepare for a hundred years, you must cultivate people," adding, "This means that for a hundred years of prosperity, we must nurture talent and invest in people. This is also true in national relations, where the people of both countries connect closely and open a new future."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Speaking about his father, Yoon Ki-jung, an honorary professor at Yonsei University who worked on Korea-Vietnam human exchanges in the 1990s, President Yoon said, "Thanks to the precious efforts of various sectors of both countries, including my father, the friendship and partnership between the two countries have developed to a level that serves as a model in East Asia," and urged, "We must not be complacent with our achievements so far but strive tirelessly to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level."

Regarding the Korea-Vietnam summit held that day, President Yoon also mentioned, "We agreed that the future of both countries will be brighter when freedom, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are guaranteed," and "We also agreed that the protagonists of that future should be the young people of both countries who travel and interact between Seoul and Hanoi, Busan and Ho Chi Minh."

In his toast, he said, "For a hundred years of prosperity, we will continue to increase investment and support for the future generations of both countries. I hope today will be the new beginning." Following this, when President Yoon led the toast by saying, "To our future generations who will protect the friendship between Korea and Vietnam," all attendees stood and shouted, "Cheers, to that!"

It is interpreted that President Yoon, having heard about talent development issues among the difficulties faced by companies during the luncheon meeting, repeatedly urged President Tr??ng to address this. The meeting was attended by heads of Vietnamese branches from 12 companies including Samsung Electronics, LG Display, Hyundai Motor, Hyosung, Hanwha Aerospace, Hana Micron, Daewoo Construction, Shinhan Bank, CJ, and Yulchon. These businesspeople expressed difficulties not only with energy supply issues such as power outages but also with securing highly skilled manpower.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Tr??ng also quoted the Korean proverb "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" in his banquet speech, emphasizing, "President Yoon's visit to Vietnam this time is a very important first step in the process of the two countries being good friends and good partners."

He added, "As the international situation and the regional environment are undergoing complex changes, strengthening bilateral relations aligns with the wishes and interests of both peoples and will practically contribute to peace, security, and prosperity in the world and the region. Let us join forces to ensure this excellent relationship goes further."

He mentioned President Yoon's diplomatic strategies such as the 'Global Pivot State' (GPS), the Indo-Pacific strategy, and the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI), stating, "Vietnam is ready to cooperate closely with Korea." President Tr??ng said, "The two countries are becoming important partners supporting each other for mutual growth," adding, "This perfectly matches the meaning of the classical Chinese poem verse that Vietnamese envoy Ph?ng C?c Qu?n gave to Joseon envoy Yi Su-gwang."

At the banquet venue, 30 photographs depicting key moments in the bilateral relationship from the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992 to President Yoon's current visit, marking the 30th anniversary of Korea-Vietnam diplomatic relations, were displayed. A portrait of President Yoon and First Lady Kim decorated with lotus flowers was also exhibited, with First Lady Kim admiring, "It's so beautiful."

Before the banquet, the two heads of state and their spouses exchanged gifts. President Yoon, looking at a dragon sculpture gifted by the Vietnamese side, said, "In our country, the dragon also symbolizes good fortune and auspiciousness," adding, "It seems that the two countries share this cultural aspect." The Korean gift was a reinterpretation of a traditional soban (small table) and a box. The banquet menu reflected the culinary cultures of both countries, featuring dishes such as fried spring rolls, grilled beef ribs, and bun cha.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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