Daegu is the third-largest metropolis in South Korea, with a population of 2.3 million and a knowledge-based economy driven by high international competitiveness. The city's economic strength is built upon two robust pillars: the Trade & Transportation sector, which accounts for 30.7% of the workforce, and Advanced Manufacturing, comprising 27%. Transitioning from its traditional foundations in textiles and transportation equipment, Daegu is dynamically emerging as a new technological hub by focusing on its "5+1" flagship ecosystem—encompassing robotics, autonomous vehicles, energy, healthcare, water technology, and smart logistics—with the exemplary Suseong Alpha City smart district at its core.
Former Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc receives Mayor of Daegu (ROK) Kim Jeong Ki on the morning of January 16, 2026. - Photo: Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspape
Over the past decade, outstanding cooperative milestones between the two localities have proven highly substantive and profound, facilitated by the close coordination of the Daegu Metropolitan City Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City. The most significant highlight is its role as a solid bridge enabling over 250 Daegu enterprises to operate successfully in Vietnam, while implementing stable integration policies for a local community of more than 7,000 Vietnamese residents. Trade promotion programs, architectural exhibitions, and folk art exchanges are also organized annually. In the field of education, a premier highlight is the international academic partnership between Ho Chi Minh City Open University and Daegu Cyber University, focusing on 2+2 and 3+1 joint training models along with intensive student exchange programs.
Looking toward the future, particularly within the framework of the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue in 2026 (FD 2026), the City is widening its corridors to attract direct investment and foster strategic alliances with partners from Daegu in five key sectors:
1. Science, Technology, and Innovation: Promoting linkages and the transfer of operational experience between the Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) and Daegu’s research institutes and software parks, particularly in ICT solutions and core technologies.
2. Smart Urban Infrastructure: Exchanging solutions for e-government architecture, comprehensive digitalization of core urban data management systems, and the application of smart traffic control technologies modeled after Suseong Alpha City.
3. Transportation and Manufacturing: Cooperating in investment and technology transfer to develop modern urban rail networks and build supply chains for advanced transportation equipment and components.
4. Education and High-Quality Human Resource Training: Expanding exchange programs for faculty, experts, and engineers specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, modern healthcare, and renewable energy with prestigious universities in Daegu, such as Kyungpook National University (KNU), Keimyung University, and Yeungnam University.
5. Culture and Tourism: Enhancing connectivity to establish two-way tourism routes and leveraging unique art exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the solidarity between the people of both nations.