Vietnam - Republic of Korea Knowledge Connection Forum (VK Connect 2026) held in Daegu
WVR - On September 5, on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Vietnam's National Day and the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, , the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan, in collaboration with Yeungnam University, organized the Vietnam - Republic of Korea Knowledge Connection Forum (VK Connect 2026) in Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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| Overview of the Vietnam - Republic of Korea Knowledge Connection Forum (VK Connect 2026). (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
With the theme “Innovation in the Digital Era”, the forum initiated by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan attracted over 300 delegates, including leaders from Gyeongsangbuk Province, Professor Choi Oe Chool, President of Yeungnam University, Ms. Park Yoon Kyung, President of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives from prominent businesses in the Gyeongbuk - Daegu region, as well as numerous experts, scientists, intellectuals, and Vietnamese students.
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| The Consul General of Vietnam in Busan, Doan Phuong Lan, speaking at the Forum. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
Building a substantial and sustainable knowledge network
In her opening remarks, the Consul General of Vietnam in Busan, Doan Phuong Lan, emphasized that VK Connect is organized with the effort to continue expanding and strengthening the community of intellectuals, scientists, and Vietnamese students in the southern Republic of Korea.
The core objective is to unite individual efforts into a common resource for both countries, serving Vietnam's innovation efforts while meeting the Republic of Korea's demand for high-quality human resources in key areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), biomedicine, environment, and cultural exchange.
Highlighting three operational criteria, the Consul General stressed the importance of maintaining an annual forum to strengthen community ties and emphasize substantive outcomes through concrete results such as joint research projects, collaborative projects, or practical job opportunities.
Doan Phuong Lan affirmed that while a forum alone may not change the world immediately, the convergence of the “right people at the right time” can indeed lead to significant transformations in the future.
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| The President of Yeungnam University speaking at the Forum. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
Professor Choi Oe Chool, President of Yeungnam University, shared insights on researching rural innovation policies in Vietnam and his profound impressions from field surveys in Ninh Thuan Province.
He affirmed his commitment to closely collaborate with the Consulate General to ensure VK Connect evolves beyond academic exchanges into a sustainable platform for interaction between Vietnamese students, experts, and the academic community, scientists, businesses, and local governments in the Republic of Korea.
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| The President of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry speaking at the Forum. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
Ms. Park Yoon Kyung, President of the Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, praised the forum's focus on future industries such as AI, big data, semiconductors, and biotechnology. She pledged that Daegu City would use its representative offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to continue serving as a strong bridge, promoting economic cooperation, business connections, and human resource development between the two countries.
The Governor of Gyeongsangbuk Province sent a congratulatory video message to the Forum, pledging ongoing support for human resource cooperation efforts between the two nations.
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| The Governor of Gyeongsangbuk Province sends a congratulatory message to the event. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
Space for applied science and a bridge for commercialization
During the thematic sessions, over 60 research topics across 8 fields, including information technology, AI, new materials, energy, semiconductors, automation, precision mechanics, quantum, biomedicine, and business management, were presented.
Each report demonstrated serious investment, creativity, and high practical applicability. This not only provided a professional exchange environment for young researchers but also served as a bridge for businesses to discover new ideas for commercialization.
Sixteen professors and experts from the Republic of Korea and Vietnam participated as session chairs to evaluate the presentations of the research topics at the Forum.
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| Certificates awarded to session chairs at the Forum. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
Career orientation seminar: Comprehensive roadmap for students
As part of the event, the “Future Career Orientation” seminar for students in the Busan, Daegu, Changwon, and surrounding areas took place with the participation of five reputable speakers, offering a comprehensive advisory roadmap from a macro perspective to practical skills:
Macro context and competitive advantage: Consul General Doan Phuong Lan sent a motivational message to young people: “You have chosen to study in the Republic of Korea at the right time.” She cited the increasingly substantive and in-depth comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, with cumulative investment from the Republic of Korea in Vietnam reaching nearly USD 99 billion (creating over 700,000 jobs) and bilateral trade turnover in 2025 reaching USD 89.5 billion (aiming for USD 150 billion by 2030).
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| Scene from a thematic session at the VK Connect 2026 Forum. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
The high complementarity between the two economies creates significant advantages for students, whether they choose to establish a career in the Republic of Korea or return to their homeland.
Educational perspective & core competencies: Meanwhile, Dr. Nguyen Quang Phuoc, President of the Vietnam Innovation Network in the Republic of Korea (VINK), shared the essential qualities of high-quality human resources in the AI era and experiences, and startup opportunities not only in the Republic of Korea but also in Vietnam with the knowledge, skills, and experience accumulated during study, research, and work in the Republic of Korea.
Local policy & employer perspective: Dr. Kim Kwang Seok (Director of the RISE Center, Daegu City Policy Research Institute) outlined local talent attraction policies and specific industry needs.
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| Vietnam - Republic of Korea Knowledge Connection Forum (VK Connect 2026) |
Subsequently, Mr. Kim Man Ho (Vice President of the Gyeongbuk-Daegu Small and Medium Enterprises Association, CEO of SUNG HO HITEC) provided practical insights into recruitment requirements, Korean language proficiency (TOPIK), and common strengths and weaknesses of Vietnamese personnel.
Legal advice & inspirational stories: Mr. Lee Dong Woo (Director of SEM International Administrative Law Firm) addressed visa application issues (E-7, E-7-4, Top-Tier, F-2, F-5) and pointed out common errors leading to application rejections.
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| The “Future Career Orientation” seminar for students at the VK Connect 2026 Forum. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan) |
The seminar concluded emotionally with the success story of Dr. Dang Thi Ngoan, Professor of Global Business at Yeungnam University.
Concluding the program, Consul General Doan Phuong Lan, along with Professor Lee Chun Young (Vice President of Yeungnam University) and experts, awarded the “Best Scientific Presentation” and “Best Scientific Poster” awards to outstanding authors in 8 topics, marking a successful first Forum.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan)
