Gyeonggi is the most populous province and a premier economic engine driving the growth of South Korea, with a population approaching 14.4 million. The province possesses immense economic potential, contributing up to a quarter of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while leading the country in innovation capabilities, digital transformation, and the knowledge economy. It is home to world-leading high-tech industrial superclusters, serving as the national nerve center for semiconductor chip production, electronic equipment, information technology, future automotive systems, and the biopharmaceutical industry. A prime example is the Pangyo Techno Valley, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Asia, which serves as a massive convergence hub for thousands of tech enterprises, formidable startups, and global-scale research and development centers.
Leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and Gyeonggi Province sign a Memorandum of Understanding on establishing friendly and cooperative relations. - Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Web Portal
Outstanding cooperative achievements between the two localities have recorded numerous practical action programs. Gyeonggi has been a key partner in sharing technology models and solutions to help Ho Chi Minh City shape the structure of its Highly Interactive Innovative Urban Area in the East (Thu Duc City), inspired by the Pangyo Techno Valley model. Bilateral economic trade thrives through major economic forums where City leaders consistently commit to facilitating the best possible conditions for multinational corporations and SMEs from Gyeonggi to make long-term investments. On the people-to-people diplomacy front, sisterhood activities and annual international volunteer exchanges between the Red Cross Chapters of both localities have successfully implemented practical humanitarian and community healthcare projects, deepening the friendship between the citizens of both nations.
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 Gyeonggi in five key sectors:
1. Innovative Urban Ecosystems and Silicon Valleys: Attracting investment, transferring management models, and developing innovative urban districts and high-tech incubation centers modeled after the Pangyo Techno Valley.
2. Semiconductor and Microelectronics Industries: Connecting supply chains and welcoming leading technology corporations from Gyeonggi to invest in manufacturing facilities, semiconductor chip design, and next-generation electronic components in Ho Chi Minh City.
3. Knowledge Economy and Digital Transformation: Partnering in the development of digital platforms and AI applications for smart urban governance, traffic management, and disaster safety.
4. Green Energy and Carbon-Neutral Industries: Exchanging solutions and attracting investment in low-emission industries to build a sustainable RE100 economic foundation.
5. Healthcare and Social Welfare Cooperation: Continuing to expand high-tech healthcare projects, community health services, and comprehensive social welfare expertise exchanges