President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Park Geun-hye will pay an official visit to Vietnam from September 7-11, aiming to boost all-round cooperation with the Southeast Asian country, the RoK Presidential Office announced on August 20.

This is the President’s third overseas trip since taking office in early February following her visits to the US in May and China last June.

According to the office, highlight of President Park’s visit to Vietnam is a meeting with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang on September 9, which she plans to use as a starting point for her “sales diplomacy” while trying to expand all-round cooperation with the country.

She is also scheduled to meet with other top Vietnamese leaders such as Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Key topics for her discussions in the country include how to forge a mutually beneficial free trade agreement and strengthen cooperation in nuclear power and industrial technology.

Also on the agenda are development aid projects, such as providing support for a science and technology institute in Vietnam.

President Park’s decision to visit Vietnam reflects the importance she attaches to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the office said.-VNA