Vietnam values Korea’s experience in agricultural market development

Vietnam and Korea share significant similarities in terms of their people, history, and culture. Both nations endured devastating wars that resulted in severe consequences, economic underdevelopment, poverty, and backwardness. However, post-war, Korea successfully underwent industrialization, emerging as a global leader in industrialized countries with a remarkably high per capita income, reaching approximately USD 35,000.

The MARD leader viewed Korea's success story as a source of inspiration, attributing the outcomes to the Korean Government's strategic investments in education, science, and technology.

Minister Hoan emphasized the crucial role of the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea, stating, "Researching your country's journey in market development will provide valuable lessons for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to design effective economic models and enhance the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products on the international stage."

A notable example is Korean ginseng, a traditional and rare tonic. Due to a keen understanding of market demand, scientists and businesses in Korea have diversified ginseng products, including fresh and dried ginseng, bags, concentrated extracts, regular sliced ginseng, powder, capsules, and even candies, all contributing to high added value.

Ginseng production businesses in Korea collaborate with tourism enterprises to organize tours to visit ginseng cultivation and processing facilities. As a result, nearly 100% of tourists in Korea visit ginseng gardens and shops. The leader of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development appreciate this integrated, multi-value approach, emphasizing agricultural economic thinking.

Minister Le Minh Hoan expresses hope that the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea will actively fulfill its role as a bridge, learning from other countries, and contributing to the development of Vietnam's agricultural industry.

During the period from 2010 to 2022, the Korean Government has been instrumental in supporting Vietnam's agricultural, forestry, and fishery sectors through various impactful technical cooperation projects. These initiatives have yielded direct benefits for the Vietnamese people and communities, encompassing endeavors such as technology transfer, improvement of crop varieties, and the enhancement of productivity and efficiency along the value chain. Notably, high-tech projects and applications have played a pivotal role in advancing agricultural production, including animal husbandry, cultivation, and aquaculture.

Building upon the robust foundation of bilateral cooperation, the head of the MARD has directed the relevant agencies to promptly execute the project aimed at opening the Korean market to Vietnamese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.

On the afternoon of December 26, the MARD delegation met with Mr. Han Geuk Seo, Vice President of Konkuk University—a renowned institution boasting a distinguished training infrastructure for human resources in the livestock industry in Korea.

Konkuk University is celebrated for its longstanding agricultural economics and food marketing tradition, supported by a team of enthusiastic, experienced, and dedicated educators committed to development. The training program, rooted in economic theory, business, and quantitative analysis, has successfully equipped numerous generations of students with a solid foundation. Post-graduation, most students secure suitable positions in the public sector and the food industry.

In October 2023, the Program "Improving Training Capacity for the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture to Enhance Human Resources in the Vietnamese Livestock Industry," in collaboration with Konkuk University, was officially launched. This initiative, generously funded by the Korean Government through non-refundable ODA capital, carries a total cost exceeding 13 million USD and extends until 2030.

The program outlines specific objectives to comprehensively enhance livestock education institutions. It aims to cultivate a high-quality workforce by researching and refining the legal system and human resource training policies, strengthening the capacity of lecturers and related organizations, and improving the job search and startup environment for students. Looking ahead, Konkuk University and the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture are set to establish the Vietnam-Korea Livestock Research and Training Institute.

In reciprocal acknowledgment, Minister Le Minh Hoan underscored Konkuk University's pivotal role in the global agriculture industry. "Our Honorable President Ho Chi Minh taught: For the benefit of a hundred years, we must plant people. In that spirit, I hope that you will continue to cooperate with Vietnam to train human resources in the agricultural sector, encompassing not only scientific and technical expertise but also management science and entrepreneurial knowledge—an active contribution in which Konkuk University holds strength," expressed the leader of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.