Vietnam, South Korea sign deals on tech, nuclear power Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts. HANOI - Vietnam’s top leader To Lam hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi on April 22, announcing a dozen cooperative agreements including on tech innovation and development of nuclear power plants. South Korea is Vietnam’s biggest source of foreign investment and one of its top trading partners, with two-way trade topping US$90 billion (S$114 billion) in 2025. Mr Lee’s visit showed “high political trust” between the two countries, Mr Lam said during the meeting at the presidential palace. “Vietnam welcomes South Korean companies to make new investments and expand existing projects, with a focus on the development of infrastructure, smart cities, semiconductors, AI data centres, nuclear power (and) smart seaports,” the Vietnamese leader said. It was the second meeting in less than a year between the two Asian leaders, following Mr Lam’s visit to Seoul in August 2025. After the agreements inked on April 22, Mr Lee said that geopolitical uncertainty was at “unprecedented heights”. He added that they hoped “the people, businesses and governments of both countries will build on the quantitative achievements we have forged together”. Cooperation for development Hanoi wants more South Korean investments in infrastructure, advanced electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and renewable energy. Among the agreements signed on April 22 was a framework for a Vietnam-South Korea “master plan on cooperation in science, technology and innovation”. Other agreements dealt with digital cooperation, intellectual property, and the development of nuclear power plants. Mr Lam, who became President this month in addition to Communist Party boss, is pushing a “new growth model” that prioritises digital and technological innovation as Vietnam aims to escape