Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation from t�𒅌�he northern mountainous province of Lai Chau, led by alternate member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Vu Manh Ha, paid a working trip to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from September 30 to October 4, seeking ways to bolster cooperation with the East Asian country.

At a working session with the governor of Mungyeong city, Gyeongsangbuk province, Ha highlighted Lai Chau’s socio-economic situation, major orientations to lure investment and develop the economy, as well as the cooperation deals signed with the Korean city. He suggested Mungyeong city continue receiving workers from Lai Chau province under seasonal labour contracts, and expressed his hope to receive delegations from Gyeongsangbuk to study and seek investment opportunities in the locality. The governor of Mungyeong city proposed suitable measures to promote collaboration between Vietnam and the RoK as well as Lai Chau and Gyeongsangbuk and partners in particular. Delivering remarks at the 42nd Geumsan World Ginseng Festival in Geumsan county, Chungcheongnam province, on October 3, Ha said that the event boasted an array of activities and drew the participation of many experts, scientists, businesses, and visitors, affirming its prestige and attractiveness among the public. Lai Chau province, home to Lai Chau ginseng – a rare medicinal herb that has been included in the red list of the medicinal plants in Vietnam, has organised various workshops and seminars and joined hands with Korean ginseng experts to preserve develop Lai Chau ginseng and develop it to a national treasure. He said the province always welcomes foreign scientists, investors, and businesses to study the ginseng as well as local land and people.

The working delegation then visited Geumsan ginseng plant on October 4. The provincial leader also had a working session with Geumsan county governor Park Beom-In on the same day, during which he spoke highly of the proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two sides in the area of agriculture. The Lai Chau administration will coordinate with the Geumsan side to bring into full play their cooperation, contributing to developing the socio-economy of the two localities, he said, suggesting ways to expand the bilateral collaboration such as arranging the exchanges of delegations at all levels; enhancing cooperation across economy, tourism, culture, vocational training and agriculture; and accelerating discussions for the signing of a seasonal employment agreement. He took the occasion to invite Park and other leaders of Geumsan county to visit Lai Chau at a suitable time. Park, for his part, briefed the Vietnamese delegation on Geumsan’s potential and advantages and the outcomes of the signed cooperation deals. He also put forth several ways to step up the cooperation between Lai Chau and Geumsan, helping improve the efficacy of the friendship collaboration. Under the MoU on agricultural cooperation, the two sides will work together to facilitate the trade and popularisation of agricultural products. While in the country, the delegation also had a working session with the Vietnamese Embassy, toured several tourist destinations of Seoul, and visited Lai Chau labourers who are working in Mungyeong city under seasonal labour contracts./.