Agriculture and Environment to become driving forces in Vietnam–RoK comprehensive strategic partnership

Highlights of agricultural and environmental cooperation

Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his gratitude to Minister Song Miryung for choosing Vietnam as her first destination since assuming office. He also noted that this meeting marked the first time he had hosted a counterpart since taking on the role of Minister of Agriculture and Environment.

On this occasion, Minister Do Duc Duy thanked MAFRA for its support through cooperation programs and non-refundable aid projects for Vietnam’s MAE. Between 2010 and 2024, the South Korean government provided funding for 12 projects in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental sectors in Vietnam.

“The projects funded by the South Korean Government and people have significantly contributed to the shared development of both countries, helping Vietnam advance smart agriculture and climate-adaptive farming. Most importantly, these initiatives benefit local communities, including the Korean community living and working in Vietnam,” Minister Do Duc Duy stated.

He further emphasized that through solidarity, cooperation, and shared commitment, the two ministries will strengthen diplomatic ties, enhance trade relations, and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and South Korea.

Minister Do Duc Duy also commended the effectiveness of Korean-funded projects in agriculture and environmental sustainability, highlighting their positive impact on Vietnam’s agricultural sector.

Promoting market access for Vietnamese lychee and passion fruit

Minister Do Duc Duy highlighted that, following the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural and rural development cooperation between Vietnam and RoK, numerous practical and effective initiatives have been implemented. Most notable were the successful market openings for Vietnamese grapefruit and Korean melon.

Building on this progress, Minister Do Duc Duy emphasized the need to further enhance agricultural trade cooperation, particularly by accelerating negotiations to open the South Korean market to Vietnamese lychee, passion fruit, and unprocessed pork, chicken, and egg products.

“We highly appreciate the quality, taste, and nutritional value of South Korean fruit products. In Vietnam, South Korean fruits are often chosen for special occasions, as gifts, or even as offerings to ancestors during Lunar New Year. Therefore, we hope both countries will strengthen market promotion efforts so that Vietnamese consumers will soon have more options from RoK,” Minister Do Duc Duy suggested.

MAFRA Minister Song Miryung expressed her optimism about the growing popularity of fruit products in both markets. She agreed with the views of the MAE and confirmed that South Korea’s specialized agricultural agencies have conducted risk analyses and quarantine procedures for Vietnamese lychee and passion fruit.

Beyond fruit, Minister Song Miryung proposed that the two sides proceed with the necessary procedures to facilitate bilateral trade in heat-treated poultry products. She also affirmed that MAFRA is willing to consider fresh meat imports from Vietnam.

The Korean Minister acknowledged Vietnam’s proactive efforts in strengthening trade cooperation. She also noted that during last year’s visit by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to Korea, Vietnam agreed to exempt RoK from veterinary drug testing requirements. Currently, South Korean agencies have submitted a list of veterinary drugs for approval and look forward to a positive response from Vietnam.

Agreeing with MAFRA’s proposals, Minister Do Duc Duy expressed confidence that Korean nutritious foods and fruits will be well-received by Vietnamese consumers. He suggested that both sides collaborate to organize trade promotion events, agricultural fairs, and the annual Vietnam–RoK Agricultural Business Connection Forum held alternately between the two countries.

Opportunities for investment in smart agriculture

Discussing agricultural production practices in Korea, Minister Song Miryung explained that MAFRA operates a network of agricultural technical centers in rural areas. Each center specializes in specific production cycles and products, ensuring a diverse range of agricultural activities. These centers not only supply materials and equipment to nearby farmers but also serve as training hubs where farmers can learn propagation techniques and receive cultivation training.

“If Vietnam is interested in this model, Korea is ready to support study tours, allowing Vietnamese experts and officials to gain firsthand experience and insights,” Minister Song Miryung affirmed.

She highlighted that many smart farms in Korea currently achieve high production efficiency and strong export capacity. Korean enterprises operating smart agriculture models have shown keen interest in expanding their investments in Vietnam. She suggested that the Vietnamese government consider policies to facilitate greater investment opportunities for Korean smart agriculture businesses in the future.

Minister Do Duc Duy welcomed MAFRA’s insights and expressed interest in visiting its high-tech agricultural centers. He noted that despite South Korea’s limited farmland and harsh winter conditions, the country has successfully developed and applied smart farming models.

By contrast, Vietnam enjoys a diverse climate, but its agricultural production remains largely small-scale with limited technological application. The Minister emphasized that investment in smart agriculture presents significant opportunities for growth in Vietnam, offering high potential for added value.

“With its strong potential, Vietnam is an attractive and accessible market for South Korean high-tech agricultural enterprises. Cooperation between our two ministries will help farmers in both countries gain access to advanced techniques and agricultural processing technologies, ultimately enhancing the value and competitiveness of our agricultural products,” Minister Do Duc Duy stated.