National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn and his spouse Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nga arrive in Seoul on Sunday afternoon (local time), beginning an official visit to the Republic of Korea. — VNA/VNS Photo

SEOUL — National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn, his spouse Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nga and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Seongnam airport on Sunday afternoon (local time), beginning an official visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The visit comes at the invitation of RoK National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik and his wife.

The Vietnamese chief legislator and his entourage were greeted at the airport by Chairman of the RoK-Việt Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group Moon Jin-seok, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Vũ Hồ and officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy, along with members of the Vietnamese community in the RoK.

This is NA President Mẫn’s first visit to the RoK in his capacity as head of Việt Nam’s legislature, and the first visit by a Vietnamese NA President to the RoK in five years.

The visit aims to promote parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries, contributing to breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment cooperation, particularly by making effective use of the new pillar of science and technology collaboration.

Chairman of the RoK-Việt Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group Moon Jin-seok welcomes National Assembly President Trần Thanh Mẫn and his spouse at Seongnam Airport in Seoul. — VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

Ambassador Vũ Hồ said the visit affirms the consistent importance that the Party, State and NA of Việt Nam attach to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It is not only aimed at strengthening political trust, but also at discussing specific measures to translate high-level agreements into concrete outcomes.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Speaker Cho also noted his belief that this visit will be an opportunity to facilitate the implementation of the signed agreements.

“I look forward to discussing ways to further enhance our parliamentary exchanges and cooperation. I also hope to exchange views on ways to further advance our bilateral relationship, which was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022,” he said.

“It is my firm belief that active communication and exchanges will not only strengthen the friendly ties between our two parliaments, but also provide a strong legal and institutional foundation for the sustainable shared prosperity of Korea and Việt Nam”. — VNA/VNS