Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon met with newly appointed Vietnamese Consul General Doan Phuong Lan on July 4 to discuss plans for the establishment of a Consulate General of Vietnam in Busan and explore future cooperation between the city and Vietnam.
The meeting, held at the Busan City Hall’s international protocol room, comes as Vietnam prepares to open its consulate in Busan.
Mayor Park welcomed the move as a symbol of the Vietnamese government’s confidence in Busan and expressed hope that the new diplomatic office would further strengthen ties between the two countries.
During the discussion, Mayor Park noted the long-standing relationship between Korea and Vietnam since diplomatic ties were established in 1992. He also highlighted Busan’s sister city relationship with Ho Chi Minh City, which began in 1995 and marks its 30th anniversary this year. Busan has supported bilateral exchanges through initiatives such as trade offices, official training programs, and support for Korean schools in Vietnam.
The mayor emphasized that the consulate’s presence would provide meaningful support for Vietnamese residents in Busan, as well as for international students, businesspeople, and the broader Vietnamese community. Vietnamese nationals now represent the largest foreign population group in the city.
Consul General Doan expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and said she looks forward to deepening cooperation with Busan and surrounding regions. She affirmed her commitment to opening the consulate promptly and to promoting practical and diverse forms of collaboration.
Mayor Park concluded by stating that he hopes the new consulate will serve as a key hub for economic and cultural exchange between Busan and Vietnam, and reaffirmed the city’s willingness to continue working closely with the Vietnamese government.
There are about 14,000 Vietnamese residents in the region, the highest of any nationality.
The new consulate is expected to open in either Haeundae or Seomyeon.
