VCCI, KCCI Expand Strategic Cooperation in Human Resources, Energy, and Technology

Recently, at VCCI headquarters in Hanoi, Ho Sy Hung, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), met with Kim Hyong Mo, Chief Representative of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Vietnam, along with representatives of SK Group. The discussions focused on new areas of cooperation between Vietnamese and Korean enterprises, particularly in human resource development, energy, and high technology.

VCCI President Ho Sy Hung receives a delegation from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

At the meeting, KCCI congratulated Ho Sy Hung on his appointment as VCCI President. In response, he reaffirmed VCCI’s commitment to promoting practical and sustainable cooperation between the two business communities.

One key topic was the plan to establish a human resource development center, scheduled to open on January 15, 2026, at the Capital Place building. According to KCCI, the center will receive an investment of about US$1.2 million and will provide advanced training for 200 selected final-year students from leading universities, including Vietnam National University, University of Science and Technology, and Hanoi University of Industry.

The training program will focus on key fields such as semiconductor design and automation, with the aim of developing a workforce of around 1,000 highly qualified engineers over five years to meet the needs of Korean and Vietnamese enterprises.

Regarding policy dialogue mechanisms, KCCI proposed that VCCI co-chair “Business Roundtable” sessions together with the Korean Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KoCham) and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) to more effectively reflect foreign enterprises’ concerns related to taxation, legal frameworks, and customs. The aim is not only to resolve immediate issues but also to help shape sustainable long-term development strategies in Vietnam.

Representatives of SK Group said the group is implementing large-scale LNG power projects in Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa) and Quynh Lap (Nghe An). At the same time, SK is working with VinUniversity to study the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in managing electricity demand in Vietnam.

Notably, SK has also held discussions with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the National Innovation Center (NIC) on small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, a field attracting growing interest from Vietnamese regulators. SK representatives affirmed that the Group’s leadership is strongly committed to the Vietnamese market and views Vietnam as a long-term strategic destination.

VCCI President Ho Sy Hung expressed his support, noting that VCCI is ready to serve as a policy bridge, particularly in Vietnam’s priority areas such as AI and semiconductors. He also proposed linking KCCI’s training model with institutions that already have strong foundations in Vietnam, such as Phenikaa University, which has invested in a modern semiconductor laboratory system that connects training with practical production.

Regarding LNG projects, he emphasized that these are long-term issues involving gas pricing and power purchase commitments, requiring close coordination between businesses and the Government. VCCI committed to working with KCCI to provide objective information and support the policy formulation process.

At the conclusion of the meeting, KCCI said it is preparing content on human resource training, LNG, and AI with a view to signing substantive memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the expected visit to Vietnam by senior Korean leaders in 2026.

VCCI President Ho Sy Hung affirmed that VCCI will work closely with its partners and expressed hope that cooperation will go beyond training to include bringing actual production processes into Vietnam, enabling domestic enterprises to participate more deeply in the global value chain.

Huong Ly (Vietnam Business Forum)