Continuously for seven years, Hanshin Construction Co., has been fundingfor monthly and quarterly activities of Vietnames Students in Korea Associationto maintain the site http://www.vsak.vn as a bridge conneting Vietnamesestudents studying around the country of kimchi.
Everyear Hanshin have actively organize and financed for the VietnameseStudents in Korea Day and the Annual Meeting of Vietnamese Students in Korea.
However, Mr. Choi Yong-sun, Chairman of Hanshin Construction Companythought that he and the company could still do more. “All the that are derivedfrom my sincere personal sentiments. Seeing them studying hard in foreigncountry has been touching with me,” said Mr. Choi emotionally.
In the afternoon of 25th of February, the Sixth Annual Meeting ofVietnamese Students in Korea would be held in Hanoi. On this occasion, Vietnam+has had an interview with Mr. Choi Yong-sun.
- The Annual Meeting of Vietnamese Students in Korea has become anannual activity of Hanshin. Could you tell us about the purpose and significanceof this activity?
Mr. Choi Yong-sun: First of all, I have to confirm that this workcomes entirely from personal feelings and is not related to business activitiesof the company.
As a businessman, I have been in Vietnam many times to implement myprojects. I realizes that Vietnameses has many similarities with Koreans innational charateristics such as diligence, hard-working, hospitality,respectation for the family and the elders, and respectation for morality. Withthat emotional intimacy, thanks to the Vietnam Ambassador in Korea, Mr. PhamTien Van, I have had the opportunity to meet Vietnamese students studying inKorea.
Seeing them trying hard studying overseas, I was very touching. I wantedto help them and thought, if on the occasion of Independence Day of Vietnam, wecan gather them together to just give them a space to encourage, to comfort eachother through the emptiness and difficulties away from home, to share their hopeon the future of the country, that would be very helpful. The VietnameseStudents in Korea Day had begun like that.
- What is the most touching memories with you in these meetings?
Mr. Choi Yong-sun: In 2005, when the Vietnamese Students in KoreaAssociation was first established, is had just about 500 members. After sevenyears, now this number has risen to about 5.000 students. Therefore, we areconstantly trying to expand the support for the operating expenses of theassociation.
The supports have helped the association activities more systematicallyheld, they are sharing to strive together. I find this job really meaningful.
On the other hand, I feel happier when the connection does not stop inKorea, it is continued further in Vietnam. I was very touching when there wereVietnamese students coming to see me, say hello, smile with me and exchange awarm handshake even on an airplane, though I did not remember who they were.That helps me confirming once again that our efforts was not useless but reallyhelpful.
- Entering Vietnamese market since 2004, what is the activities ofHanshin in Vietnam?
Mr. Choi Yong-sun: We established a representative office in Hanoiin 2004 and started by designing HH4 apartment complex, constructing awastewater treatment plant in Binh Duong and has completed the entire officetower for BIDV headquarters office.
Currently, we are constructing two highway projects in Rach Gia and Ho ChiMinh City. In the near future, we are planning to start the construction of ahighway near the Noi Bai International Airport.
This year, we have teamed up with Vietnam Highway Corporation to build themost modern Vietnam highway stop which including restaurants, gas stations, carrepair station on the Ninh Binh - Cau Gie highway in Ha Nam Province.
- These are great successes for Hanshin. However, 2012 was a difficultyear for the world economy and Vietnam. Could you share your strategy toovercome this in Vietnam?
Mr. Choi Yong-sun: The difficult economic situation was identifiedas a long-term. But difficulties are accompanied with opportunities, the moredifficult the situation is, the more we have to prepare for the opportunites tocome when the situation is better.
So, with the expectation of long-term potential growth in Vietnam, Hanshinwill keep working closely with Vietnamese partners to find opportunities togrow.
- After eight years of investing and developing in Vietnam market, whatdo you think are the advantages and difficulties of the market? Do you have anysuggestions to the Vietnamese government to better facilitate the operation ofthe foreign enterprises as Hanshin?
Mr. Choi Yong-sun: With the support and help of friends in Vietnam,Hanshin can implement our projects without encountering any major difficulties.I am very thankful for our Vietnamese friends about this and think this is greatluck for us. I only have a reasonable proposal that should we establish acentral organization to support foreign investment that the government plays theleading role. Entering a new and strange market like Vietnam can be verydifficult because of the unfamiliarity with the policies and investment process.
If we can establish a support center for foreign investment, a portal toprovide information and to integrate relevant functions of state agenciesrelated to registration and granting of permits required for project activitiesin Vietnam by foreign enterprises and to support in a consistent manner... itwill be a very helpful support for many companies which are planning investmentor are conducting projects in Vietnam.
- Thank you!
| Hanshin Construction Company was founded in 1950 in Korea. Its business areas are investment, engineering and construction material production including civil works, construction works, environmental works and electrical works. In 2004, Hanshin established offices in Vietnam. Since its debut in Vietnam market, Hanshin has consistently been assigned important projects such as Tower of BIDV in Hanoi, water treatment project in Binh Duong, design of the complex apartment HH4-My Dinh. Currently, Hanshin is constructing two major highway projects in Ho Chi Minh-Long Thanh-Dau Giay (sixth package) in Dong Nai Province and bypass road project Rach Gia (roads and bridges) in Kien Giang Province. These two projects are expected to be completed in 2013. With these achievements, Hanshin Construction Company has received many awards and certificates of merit in both Korea and Vietnam. Besides boosting business, Hanshin also pay attention to the social activities, community oriented, typically as the ceremony to meet international students, students in Vietnam in South Korea. Meet this intimate ceremony was held annually, continuously from 2005 until now and has always been the meeting place for students, Vietnamese students have been studying in kimchi./. |