Business trip to Lai Chau: Promoting Vietnam - Republic of Korea cooperation from local potential
WVR - From surveying tourism potential, agriculture, and the Lai Chau Ginseng cultivation area to working with authorities, signing a Memorandum of Understanding, and connecting businesses, the business trip of the Vietnam - Republic of Korea Business and Investment Association (VKBIA) in Lai Chau opens up new avenues for cooperation with Republic of Korea partners.
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From September 18-20, the VKBIA delegation, led by Dr. Tran Hai Linh, Member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Chairman of VKBIA, conducted a working program, survey, and cooperation connection in Lai Chau province.
On September 18, the delegation surveyed the O Quy Ho Pass summit area and Ban Bo Tea Hill, Binh Lu commune, exploring the landscape, natural conditions, agricultural raw material areas, and the potential for developing eco-tourism, leisure, experiential, and community tourism.
At the headquarters of the Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee, Vice Chairman Ha Trong Hai chaired a working session with the VKBIA delegation. Representatives from various departments, the Lai Chau Ginseng Association, and delegation members attended.
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| Lai Chau province and VKBIA continue to enhance effective and practical cooperation in the coming time. |
Focusing on agriculture, medicinal herbs, and tourism
At the working session, Vice Chairman Ha Trong Hai introduced Lai Chau's potential and advantages in minerals, agriculture, medicinal herbs, human resources, and tourism. The province currently has over 10,500 hectares of tea plantations, nearly 13,000 hectares of rubber, and more than 7,400 hectares of macadamia; with a labour force of over 323,000 people.
Notably, Lai Chau Ginseng is a rare endemic plant with 52 types of saponins, which the province is keen on preserving, expanding cultivation areas, and aiming for deep processing.
Provincial leaders proposed that VKBIA connect Republic of Korea businesses to research investment in smart agriculture and Lai Chau Ginseng processing; promote scientific and technical cooperation in breeding, planting, care, and disease prevention; and support bringing agricultural products, OCOP products like tea, cinnamon, and macadamia to the Republic of Korea market. Additionally, cooperation in human resources, seasonal labor, eco-tourism, community tourism, and promoting Lai Chau's image to Republic of Korea residents and tourists was discussed.
Dr. Tran Hai Linh assessed that Lai Chau has significant cooperation potential with the Republic of Korea, especially in agriculture, minerals, and tourism. According to him, enhancing product value in agriculture and medicinal herbs needs to be associated with science and technology, standardization, deep processing, brand building, and market development.
Regarding Lai Chau Ginseng, VKBIA aims to research a suitable cooperation model with the Republic of Korea in areas from breeding, planting techniques, mother ginseng protection, disease control to active ingredient analysis, extraction, deep processing, and developing high-value-added products.
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| The Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee and VKBIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for the period 2026-2031. (Source: VKBIA) |
From raw material areas to international markets
On September 19, the VKBIA delegation surveyed the ginseng cultivation area in Khun Ha commune, learning about growth conditions, cultivation methods, and practical requirements in developing Lai Chau Ginseng. The delegation also attended the scientific seminar “Lai Chau Ginseng - Essence of the Northwest Highlands”, where managers, scientists, experts, and businesses discussed the value, potential, and development orientation of this medicinal herb.
According to VKBIA, the Republic of Korea's experience in developing the ginseng industry, from raw material areas, scientific research, active ingredient extraction, processing to brand building and distribution systems, can serve as a reference and cooperation source for Lai Chau.
On September 20, the delegation continued working with the Lai Chau Ginseng Association and businesses in the ginseng field, focusing on active ingredient extraction technology, deep processing, product research from ginseng, health protection foods, cosmetics, quality standards, packaging, branding, and distribution.
One of the notable outcomes of the business trip is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee and VKBIA, laying the foundation for concretizing exchange contents into programs, activities, and projects in the future.
VKBIA stated it will continue to leverage its network to connect Lai Chau with localities, businesses, research institutes, experts, investors, and distribution systems in the Republic of Korea; supporting the province's agricultural products and specialties to gradually access the Republic of Korea market and explore expansion to other markets.
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| The delegation conducted a direct survey of the Lai Chau Ginseng cultivation area in Khun Ha commune. |
Besides agriculture and medicinal herbs, VKBIA also aims to research cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, science and technology, semiconductors, new materials, innovation, tourism, energy, and high-quality human resource training.
The business trip from September 18-20 was implemented through a series of on-site surveys, potential identification, dialogue with authorities, cooperation signing, raw material area access, scientific exchange, and direct work with businesses. Through this, Lai Chau and VKBIA gradually expand the cooperation space, aiming to bring international resources, technology, and experience to local potential, while introducing Lai Chau's unique products to international markets.
