This was shared by former head coach of the Vietnam national football team Park Hang Seo at a meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Korean friends on the afternoon of June 30. Football promotes solidarity between the two countries . Sharing at the meeting, former head coach of the Vietnam national football team Park Hang Seo recalled that during his tenure as head coach of the Vietnam national football team, the team's victories brought joy not only to Vietnam but also to the Korean people. "It is not only a sporting achievement but also a demonstration of cultural solidarity, it proves that sporting achievements and cultural solidarity, showing that football promotes cohesion and solidarity between the two countries," said Mr. Park Hang Seo. According to him, the support of fans of the two countries has formed a bond that goes beyond football.

Although he is no longer the head coach of the national team, Mr. Park Hang Seo affirmed that he will still be determined to play the role of a bridge, connecting the two cultures and the two countries. He believes that Vietnam and Korea can build a brighter future. Thanking the sincere feelings of Korean friends who love Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that Vietnam highly values ​​its relationship with Korea. In particular, the Prime Minister thanked Mr. Cho Chul-hyeon, author of the book "General Secretary of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong", the first book published specifically about General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Korea. According to him, this shows his affection, respect and in-depth research on General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong since he was in high school, university and then a graduate student in Russia, then during his leadership career when he held positions such as Secretary of Hanoi, Chairman of the National Assembly and General Secretary. "We really appreciate this sentiment," said the Prime Minister. The Vietnamese Government leader also affirmed that the two countries have a special relationship in terms of people-to-people exchange. To date, there are more than 200,000 Koreans living in Vietnam and more than 200,000 Vietnamese living in Korea. In just a short time, people-to-people exchange has developed very quickly, according to the Prime Minister. He attributed this result to the two Governments and the two States always creating conditions and opportunities, ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of the people of the two countries to live and work in the two countries. Sharing the view of Mr. Park Hang Seo, the Prime Minister said that in every football match, whether winning or losing, it shows the spirit of Vietnam and Korea.

"That affection is expressed towards specific people and events, but it reflects the overall relationship between the two countries," the Prime Minister emphasized. The head of the Vietnamese Government also recalled the memory when coach Park Hang Seo and the Vietnamese national football team returned from Changzhou (China) after the 2018 U23 Asian Cup finals, and were welcomed in a very special way, from Noi Bai airport to the center of Hanoi, more than 30km away, but there was a traffic jam for several hours because of fans waiting. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that this was an affection that reflected the good relationship between the two countries. Good affection must be transformed into specific cooperation programs. Regarding further information on economic cooperation between the two countries, the Prime Minister said that Korea continues to maintain its position as the number 1 partner in direct investment; number 2 in development cooperation (ODA) and tourism; and number 3 in labor and trade of Vietnam. In addition, the Prime Minister commented that the two countries have made great strides in cultural exchange. The strength of Korea's cultural and entertainment industries has had a great impact on Vietnam, especially in terms of films and music. "The Vietnam-Korea relationship has developed very strongly, comprehensively and effectively, benefiting the two countries, the two peoples and the two peoples," the Prime Minister said, noting that this result was greatly contributed by friends who love Vietnam.

Emphasizing that no country can solve international issues alone, the Prime Minister suggested solidarity, unity, upholding multilateralism and international cooperation, and citing the Korean proverb "Together, together, we can conquer the sky". Informing about the situation in Vietnam, the Prime Minister summarized the country's achievements from suffering and losses in the war, with an economy of only 4 billion USD and per capita income of about 100 USD, but now the economy has grown to 430 billion USD and per capita income has increased to 4,300 USD. "We have stood up and risen by our own strength to reform and innovate", the Prime Minister said. Reaffirming that the Vietnam - Korea relationship is increasingly good, political trust is increasing, and the economy is growing, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on Korean friends who love Vietnam or love it even more, and Vietnam will do the same. This sentiment, according to the Prime Minister's expectation, will be transformed into specific projects, proposals, and cooperation programs. "Once committed, we must do it and have specific products, with clear people, clear tasks, clear responsibilities, clear time, clear products in the spirit of working together, enjoying together, and winning together," the Prime Minister stated his point of view.

Hoai Thu (From Seoul, Korea)