Vietnam - Republic of Korea Seafood Business Connect 2026 in Busan
WVR - On the afternoon of November 5, on the occasion of the Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BISFE), the Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan, in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), successfully organized the "Vietnam – Korea Seafood Business Connect" conference in Busan.
Latest
The event, themed “Elevating Partnership and Expanding Markets,” aims to foster cooperation between the seafood business communities of the two countries.
 |
| Delegates attending the conference. |
The conference was attended by Ms. Doan Phuong Lan, Consul General of Vietnam in Busan; Mr. Le Van Anh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province, along with a business delegation from the province; Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Secretary General of VASEP; Mr. Jang Ok-jin, Executive Director of the Korea Fisheries Trade Association (KFTA), 14 Vietnamese enterprises participating in the Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BISFE), and representatives of Korean seafood businesses.
In her opening remarks, Consul General Doan Phuong Lan emphasised that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has laid a solid foundation for trade.
 |
| Consul General of Vietnam in Busan Doan Phuong Lan speaking. |
The Republic of Korea is currently one of Vietnam's top five seafood export markets, while Vietnam is the third-largest seafood supplier to the Korean market. The event also marks the continuous efforts of Vietnamese businesses, having participated in the Busan International Seafood Expo for over 10 years.
Assessing the potential for cooperation between the seafood enterprises of the two countries, Consul General Doan Phuong Lan affirmed that the Consulate General will create more opportunities for the seafood businesses of both countries to meet and expand cooperation in raw materials, deep processing technology, becoming complementary partners in the supply chain, and jointly exploiting markets where Vietnam has signed free trade agreements.
 |
| Secretary General of VASEP Nguyen Hoai Nam speaking. |
Representing the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam presented an overview of Vietnam's seafood industry and the immense cooperation potential between the two nations.
On this occasion, VASEP actively promoted the VIETFISH International Seafood Exhibition, inviting Korean businesses and investors to visit and connect to seek quality, safe, and sustainable supply sources.
 |
| Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province Le Van Anh speaking. |
Mr. Le Van Anh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province, introduced the vast cooperation potential of Quang Ninh Province – a key aquaculture and seafood processing center in northern Vietnam.
With the advantage of over 250 km of coastline, along with a synchronized logistics infrastructure system including seaports, an international airport, and the Mong Cai International Border Gate, Quang Ninh offers attractive cooperation and investment opportunities for seafood businesses in Busan.
 |
| Executive Director of KFTA Jang Ok-jin speaking. |
Executive Director of KFTA Jang Ok-jin noted that Vietnam possesses international-level seafood production and processing capabilities. Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea has a fast and efficient distribution system based on certified product quality, along with a rapidly growing convenience food market.
Mr. Jang expressed confidence that when the strengths of the two countries are combined and leveraged, it will become a solid driving force to promote the seafood industry of both nations.
 |
| Delegates attending the B2B trading session. |
Within the program's framework, the B2B (Business Matching) trading session was lively, with the participation of the VASEP Association and reputable companies such as Viet Ocean, Kien Cuong, Thuan Phuoc, Dai Nam, Viet Truong, Huy Nam, Lien Viet Green...
Vietnamese businesses showcased a diverse range of high-standard export products such as shrimp, squid, octopus, fish cakes, surimi, various marine fish (halibut, mackerel, salmon, mackerel) along with value-added and ready-to-eat (RTE) products.
 |
| Overview of the Conference. |
Direct connection activities at the table helped Vietnamese businesses introduce new products, seek strategic import partners, and gradually penetrate deeper into the Korean food supply chain.
The conference not only contributes to boosting bilateral seafood import-export turnover but also opens up opportunities for investment cooperation, technology transfer in processing, and sustainable aquaculture between Korean businesses and Vietnamese localities in the future.
 |
| Delegates attending the conference taking a commemorative photo. |
Vietnam's seafood industry achieved an export turnover of 11.3 billion USD in 2025 and 9.1 billion USD in the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 11.4% compared to the same period. Of this, the Republic of Korea imported 723 million USD from Vietnam (up 5.1%) and exported 184 million USD to Vietnam. In bilateral relations, Vietnam is a crucial seafood partner for the Republic of Korea, ranking 5th in exports and 3rd in imports.
The two countries are also forming a common supply chain: Vietnam exports finished products to the Republic of Korea while importing raw materials from the Republic of Korea for processing to serve domestic consumption and export to other markets.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan)
