Korean and Vietnamese Leaders Exchange Proverbs at Banquet... Lee: "The Han River and Red River Become One"

Korea-Vietnam Leaders Hold State Banquet
Vo Van Thuong: "Even a sheet of paper is lighter when lifted together"
Lee: "A hundred rivers unite to form one sea"
Lee: "Streams of cooperation will meet in the great sea of shared prosperity"

At the state banquet with Vo Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the country, on the 22nd (local time), President Lee Jae-myung highlighted the two countries’ commitment to cooperation by exchanging proverbs. When General Secretary Vo Lam referenced the Korean saying, “Even a sheet of paper is easier to lift together,” President Lee responded with the Vietnamese proverb, “One hundred rivers come together to form a single sea.” He added, “The Han River, which flows through the Republic of Korea, and the Red River, which embraces Hanoi, are coming together here as one,” and emphasized, “The vision and promises we share today will become countless streams of cooperation, ultimately flowing together in the great sea of shared prosperity for both nations.”

President Lee Jae-myung is giving a toast at the state banquet hosted by Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and State President Vo Van Thuong on the 22nd (local time) at the guesthouse in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo by Yonhap News

During his response at the state banquet held at the Vietnam International Convention Center (ICC) in Hanoi, President Lee reiterated his commitment to expanding cooperation with Vietnam, stating, “I look forward to our Republic of Korea becoming a reliable and steadfast partner on Vietnam’s dynamic journey of growth and progress.” He specifically mentioned plans to deepen collaboration in future growth sectors such as science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. He also pledged to pursue comprehensive cooperation encompassing talent cultivation and technology partnerships across strategic industries—including nuclear power, railroads, urban development, automobiles, electronics, and semiconductors. First Lady Kim, accompanying President Lee, wore a red hanbok top with a yellow skirt, while Nguyen Phuong Ly Ly, wife of General Secretary Vo Lam, wore shades of blue. President Lee wore a red tie, and General Secretary Vo Lam wore a blue tie.

President Lee also noted, “Last summer, General Secretary Vo Lam visited the Republic of Korea as the first state guest of our administration,” and added, “On behalf of the people of Korea, I sincerely thank the General Secretary and the people of Vietnam for warmly welcoming us as the first state guests since the launch of the 14th leadership.” He recalled his first visit to Vietnam in 2013 as mayor of Seongnam, when he signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for friendly cooperation with Thanh Hoa Province, saying, “Seeing the remarkable progress that has grown out of the many possibilities I witnessed back then, I am once again reminded of Vietnam’s potential.”

He also highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries. President Lee stated, “This year marks the 800th anniversary of Prince Lee Yong-sang of Vietnam’s Ly Dynasty settling in Goryeo. What began as a small exchange has now grown into a bond where 5 million people travel between our countries annually, making us the closest of neighbors.” He went on to say, “In the workplaces of over 10,000 Korean companies operating in Vietnam, at Korean universities where more than 75,000 Vietnamese students study, and in the lives of 100,000 Korean–Vietnamese multicultural families, our countries share daily life and continue to build deep bonds and trust.”

President Lee Jae-myung and Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary and President Vo Lam are making a toast at the state visit welcoming dinner held at the guesthouse in Hanoi, Vietnam, on the 22nd (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee also placed the value of peace at the forefront. He stated, “Peace is the most important foundation that supports our prosperity and future. Having overcome the pain of war and achieved development, our two countries understand the value of peace better than anyone and deeply appreciate the importance of dialogue and compromise.” He added, “On that great journey, the Republic of Korea will always stand as an unwavering partner with Vietnam.” Concluding his remarks, President Lee raised a toast in Vietnamese—“Chuc suc khoe,” meaning “To your health!”—and clinked glasses with General Secretary Vo Lam.

General Secretary Vo Lam, in his earlier welcome speech, said, “When talking about the power of cooperation, Koreans often say, ‘Even a sheet of paper is easier to lift together.’ In Vietnam, we use the metaphor, ‘One tree cannot make a mountain, but three trees together form a high mountain.’” He assessed that the cultural similarities, political trust, and mutually complementary economic development of the two countries provide a solid foundation for their relationship.

He especially noted that President Lee’s visit took place amid the ongoing strengthening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Korea. General Secretary Vo Lam emphasized, “Based on a high level of political trust, our relationship has expanded to broad cooperation in the economy, trade, investment, science, and even in people-to-people exchanges.” He also highlighted the significance of President Lee being the first state guest since the official inauguration of Vietnam’s new leadership.

General Secretary Vo Lam went on to underscore that Vietnam is Korea’s largest economic partner in Southeast Asia and its third-largest trading partner, while Korea is Vietnam’s largest investor and a major partner in trade, tourism, and labor. He remarked, “Cooperation is expanding into high value-added sectors such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, energy, and infrastructure. Lively people-to-people exchanges—such as the approximately 350,000 Vietnamese people residing in Korea and about 200,000 Koreans living in Vietnam—are also a key pillar supporting our bilateral relationship.”

The banquet was also attended by leading business figures, including Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group; Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group; and Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Holdings, highlighting the significance of strategic industry and infrastructure cooperation being pursued in conjunction with this state visit.

Yee Okwon, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission (right), is seen conversing with Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics (from left), Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group, and Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group at the state banquet held in honor of President Lee Jae-myung on the 22nd (local time) at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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