The Friendship Association of Vietnam-Republic of Korea in the northern province of Thai Nguyen held its first congress on November 2 with the participation of 167 delegates.

The congress elected an executive board with 27 members for the 2014–2019 tenure.

Truong Thi Hue, leader of the provincial National Assembly deputies’ delegation, was elected as the Association’s chairwoman.

Thai Nguyen’s Friendship Association of Vietnam-RoK was established to promote the friendship and mutual understanding between Thai Nguyen and the Republic of Korea’s localities and their people.

Over the last two decades, Vietnam has developed a broad and comprehensive relationship with the RoK, entering into bilateral, regional and international cooperation agreements in different fields, such as foreign affairs, the economy, trade, culture, science and education.

Thai Nguyen province itself joined a number of twin and socio-economic development cooperation programmes with RoK partners to further strengthen ties, including its twin programme with Gyeongsangbuk province, the RoK.

The two provinces have been active with regard to cultural and experience exchanges as well as collaboration on education and new style rural development.

The province currently is home to around 40 RoK enterprises with a total investment of 3.5 billion USD, creating jobs for thousands of local people.-VNA