Daejeon is the fifth-largest city in South Korea, with a population of approximately 1.4 million and a GRDP of approximately USD 37.7 billion. Renowned as the Silicon Valley of South Korea, the city's economic structure has made a remarkable shift, with the high-tech knowledge services and logistics sector accounting for 78.4% of the workforce, and the high-tech manufacturing industry representing 16.6%. The city asserts its position as the national scientific nerve center, anchored by the Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone (Daedeok Innopolis)—a premier hub bringing together over 26 government-funded research institutes, 79 corporate research centers, and world-renowned universities such as KAIST. Built upon this solid knowledge foundation, Daejeon has successfully shaped flagship economic sectors, including information technology, semiconductor microcircuits, biotechnology, aerospace, and the digital content industry.
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), alongside representing universities from Daejeon (Republic of Korea) and Vietnam, co-organized the "Global Youth Innovation Marketers 2025" competition. - Photo: UEH
Over more than 20 years, cooperation between the two localities has achieved many substantive achievements across three core pillars. In trade, both sides have continuously organized major economic forums, deeply connecting supply chains between Daejeon's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and partners in Ho Chi Minh City. Notably in March 2026, leaders from both governments advanced a new agenda, agreeing to expand projects on industrial transformation and smart urban planning inspired by the Daedeok Special Zone model. In education and startup incubation, a outstanding highlight is the partnership between leading universities, notably the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) and Daejeon partners, in co-organizing the Global Youth Innovation Marketers Competition, creating an international arena to equip the younger generation with essential digital skills.
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 welcome direct investment (FDI) and technology transfer from Daejeon partners into five priority sectors:
1. Semiconductor Industry and Life Sciences: Attracting investment and connecting high-tech supply chains from Daedeok's research institutes and enterprises to the Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP).
2. Smart Urban Planning: Applying digital technology solutions in traffic management, operating smart security networks, and developing sustainable eco-cities.
3. Innovation and Startup Ecosystems: Connecting technology incubation centers and promoting venture capital investments in promising startup projects in Ho Chi Minh City.
4. Digital Human Resource Training and Global Marketing: Continuing to expand academic alliance programs and transnational innovation competitions to prepare a high-quality workforce for the digital economy.
5. High-Tech Healthcare and Biotechnology: Collaborating on research and the application of precision medicine solutions, biopharmaceutical production, and smart healthcare technologies.