Official Launch of the project for Education and Capacity Building of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam

The Ceremony was honored by the presence of Mr. Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam; H.E. Mr. Choi Youngsam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Viet Nam; Mr. Lee Byung Hwa, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Viet Nam; Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Acting President of the DAV; as well as representatives from various units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and officials, faculty members and students of the DAV.

In his remarks, Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that amid a rapidly evolving, complex, and unpredictable international landscape, building a corps of diplomatic officers who are theoretically sound, practically adept, and highly responsive to global trends is of vital importance to Viet Nam’s diplomacy. This Project stands as a symbol of our steadfast commitment to placing education and training at the heart of national development, and to nurturing a highly qualified human resource base as the cornerstone for safeguarding the Fatherland and elevating Viet Nam’s international standing. The Deputy Minister expressed his sincere appreciation for the enduring and practical support from the Government of the Republic of Korea and KOICA. He also underscored that education serves as a strong and enduring bridge between nations, opening new horizons of cooperation for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea.

Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Acting President of the DAV, affirmed that the Project is the culmination of more than three years of dedicated preparation, reflecting the DAV’s resolute commitment to comprehensive reform. Beyond upgrading physical infrastructure, the Project aims to innovate training content in alignment with global realities, promote international connectivity, foster creativity, and enhance operational capacities in the digital transformation era. The launch of the Project reaffirms the DAV’s strategic vision: to become a modern, dynamic diplomatic training center capable of providing strategic advice and making substantive contributions to the country's foreign affairs. The successful implementation of the Project will lay the foundation for the DAV not only to adapt but also to lead Viet Nam’s international integration efforts, thus realizing the aspiration for a comprehensive, modern, and distinctively Vietnamese diplomacy.

In his remarks, Mr. Lee Byung Hwa, Country Director of KOICA in Viet Nam, expressed his honor to accompany DAV in this meaningful Project. He shared that since 2021, KOICA had conducted feasibility studies and, since 2022, worked with the DAV to materialize the Project's implementation strategy. The signing of the Record of Discussion in January 2025 officially marked the Project’s inception. With a total investment of USD 4.95 million, the Project will be implemented through 2026, focusing on developing modern infrastructure and enhancing the DAV’s capacity to train a new generation of talented diplomats for Viet Nam. He stressed that the success of the Project hinges on close coordination among all stakeholders and reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment: “KOICA will always stand alongside the successful development of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam.”

Ambassador Choi Youngsam, in his speech, expressed strong confidence in the success of the Project. He highlighted that the DAV, with its mission to train Viet Nam’s future diplomats, would play a pivotal role in enhancing the country’s global influence. The Ambassador expressed his belief that key facilities, such as the Viet Nam - Korea Strategic Cooperation Center and the Smart Library, would become vibrant symbols of the deep and lasting friendship between the two countries. He shared with great emotion that the Project would realize the dream of creating a “Korean space” at the DAV, affirming that Viet Nam is indeed Korea’s “best friend.” The Ambassador concluded his speech with a meaningful saying: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," conveying his firm belief that today’s Project launch would mark the beginning of a deeper journey of cooperation between the two nations.

With the strong foundation laid by this Project, the DAV once again reaffirms its sacred mission: “For a resilient diplomacy, for a powerful Viet Nam in the new era - the era of national rise”./.

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